From the Silicon to the Tanana Valley: Not quite climbing out of the Winter to Remember!

Monday, March 16, 2026

Not quite climbing out of the Winter to Remember!

Some statistics!

With the sub-40-below temperatures recorded at our airport on March 10 and 11, 2026, we have passed the winter of 1905-1906: 29 different days that featured minus 40 temps or colder.

"From February 25 through March 11, the average temperature at Fairbanks International Airport plummeted to -20°F, officially marking the coldest such period recorded this late in the season. This frigid stretch didn't just edge out the past; it shattered the previous record of -17°F (1971)."

Record late -40!! NOAA reported on that day, "-41F hasn't been reached on today's date since 1930. March 11th's record coldest is also -41F from 1930."

Dec through Feb was the coldest winter in over 50 years. More -40 days than in the previous 53 years.

Last night they announced another record was broken. Ho, hum.

At least these days the daytime temperatures are warmer, but now we have a breeze!

Yet here we remain! Princess Cricket even gamely went for walks for the 3-4 weeks of -40 back in December-January, but nowadays has decided "enough!" and remains on the couch in her sunbeam instead of joining Raven and me for a morning walk. She waits unil afternoon for her one (1) walk of the day!

Ravey Gravy joins her after our morning walk.

Here is my first time seeing above 0 degrees F since November. This was last week (12 March):

Warm enough for BOLL TIME!!

Princess Cricket deigns to join us on walkies later in the afternoon, once the day has warmed up.

Our first skijor post-last-snow storm. Ravey Gravy breaking trail.

Princess Cricket trailing along behind. She does NOT break trail any more!

I get frequent comments on my helmet-wearing. People say, "Oh that's a good idea! I should ski with a helmet!" That makes me happy! I am promoting a Culture of Safety! I really wish sprint mushers would wear helmets. They run with like 16-20 dogs and do 3-minute miles. It looks very scary!

Saturday was pi day, so I made this pie. It ws 2 cups of rhubarb from the freezer from my garden last summer, and 3 cups of frozen mixed berries from the store. Delicious!