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
Severe Weather Threat Makes it to the Gulf Coast

Severe Weather Threat Makes it to the Gulf Coast

More severe storms are in the forecast for Mo

29 Apr 2024 10:00 AM
Record Highs in Trouble in the Northeast

Record Highs in Trouble in the Northeast

We've kicked out the chilly weather and are w

29 Apr 2024 9:40 AM
Midweek Severe Storm Risk

Midweek Severe Storm Risk

Even though we just dealt with a powerful low

29 Apr 2024 9:30 AM
More Destructive Tornadoes Touch Down in Oklahoma

More Destructive Tornadoes Touch Down in Oklahoma

The town of Sulphur, OK took taken a direct h

28 Apr 2024 9:45 PM
Tornadoes Tear Through the Heartland Friday

Tornadoes Tear Through the Heartland Friday

North Side - Nebraska & IowaSeveral teams

28 Apr 2024 8:00 PM
Late-Season Snow Dumps 2 Feet Across the Rockies

Late-Season Snow Dumps 2 Feet Across the Rockies

Snow piled up in the Rocky Mountains this wee

28 Apr 2024 3:55 PM
NOAA Debuts "HeatRisk" Tool Nationwide

NOAA Debuts "HeatRisk" Tool Nationwide

More people die from heat every year than ALL

28 Apr 2024 10:05 AM