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
Blizzard Warnings Issued for the Northern U.S.

Blizzard Warnings Issued for the Northern U.S.

A low-pressure system blowing through the Hig

26 Nov 2025 3:00 AM
Severe Weather Wrapping Up in The Southeast

Severe Weather Wrapping Up in The Southeast

Tuesday's storms brought damage to some of th

26 Nov 2025 2:55 AM
Moisture and Lake Effect Snow for the Northeast

Moisture and Lake Effect Snow for the Northeast

A low-pressure system currently moving throug

26 Nov 2025 2:45 AM
A Record Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Week Expected

A Record Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Week Expected

It is that time of year again—when millions o

26 Nov 2025 2:40 AM
NWS Houston Confirms Two Tornadoes from Monday's Storms

NWS Houston Confirms Two Tornadoes from Monday's Storms

Areas in southeast Houston quickly took cover

25 Nov 2025 11:35 PM
Hurricane Melissa Produces Strongest Gust Recorded in a Hurricane

Hurricane Melissa Produces Strongest Gust Recorded in a Hurricane

Hurricane Melissa was a devastating category

23 Nov 2025 3:25 PM
Four Corners Expecting More Flooding Rain, Mountain Snow

Four Corners Expecting More Flooding Rain, Mountain Snow

A cut-off low will be moving out of southern

23 Nov 2025 3:20 AM