The Last Great Race: 2018 Iditarod

news image
Top Stories
4 Mar 2018 8:16 PM

The Last Great Race: 2018 Iditarod

MUSH! MUSH! The 2018 Iditarod race is well underway, even if the term "mush" isn't even commonly spoken. Saturday, Mushers took to the streets of Anchorage, AK to continue a tradition dating back to 1973, when "The Last Great Race" officially started. The Iditarod was inspired by the 1925 race, via dog sled, to deliver a life-saving drug to the town of Nome, AK. The Iditarod celebrations kicked off today, in Anchorage, AK , as they do the first Saturday of March each year. Although the celebration starts in Anchorage, AK, the official 2018 start line is located in the town of Willow, AK,  about 81 miles north of Anchorage. In years past, due to the lack of snow in southern Alaska, the race has started as far north as Fairbanks, AK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzlnPQSxzf8&feature=youtu.be   As far as temperatures go, this year's opening event temperature in Anchorage, AK topped off at 26°. Within the past three years, the warmest Anchorage Iditarod starting temperature was as high as 42°, well above the average temperature of 33.9° for the month of March.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDtyoO3hE5o&feature=youtu.be   Although temperatures will be relatively warm by Alaskan standards, a heavy band of snow is forecasted to move in from the Bering Sea on Tuesday. If you think snow doesn't sound fun while doing a 1,049 mile outdoor race - remember - you can't pull a sled without snow! For WeatherNation - Meteorologist Josh Cozart  
All Weather News
More
Late Week Storm System Brings a Different Pattern

Late Week Storm System Brings a Different Pattern

The holidays make it hard to keep track of wh

6 Jan 2026 2:35 AM
Snow Returns to Ski Country

Snow Returns to Ski Country

It's been a slow start to the ski season for

6 Jan 2026 2:30 AM
Record-Breaking Warmth As We Head Back to Work/School

Record-Breaking Warmth As We Head Back to Work/School

While there was be a temporary break in recor

6 Jan 2026 2:20 AM
Heavy Rain & Snow Winding Down Tonight in California

Heavy Rain & Snow Winding Down Tonight in California

One last push of the trough responsible for t

5 Jan 2026 8:45 PM
Wintry Weather Expected From the Midwest to Northeast

Wintry Weather Expected From the Midwest to Northeast

Persistent lake-effect snow and a series of f

5 Jan 2026 11:00 AM
Severe Storms Target the Southeast on Saturday

Severe Storms Target the Southeast on Saturday

After colder air settles into the Southeast e

4 Jan 2026 3:00 AM
Chilly Air Across the Northern States

Chilly Air Across the Northern States

Northern U.S.In the North-Central U.S., an Al

3 Jan 2026 2:00 AM