Palmer

[ZoloMom]

I noticed on my intellicast app that Palmer is supposed to be getting 68 mph winds right now. Would that be an average blow? And does it only get crazy windy in the winter? And for several days to a week at a time?

We like being outdoors except when it's too windy for the toddler.

[AKStafford]

Originally Posted by ZoloMom

I noticed on my intellicast app that Palmer is supposed to be getting 68 mph winds right now. Would that be an average blow? And does it only get crazy windy in the winter? And for several days to a week at a time?

We like being outdoors except when it's too windy for the toddler.

It happens. A few times a winter we get these winds. And they'll last a few days... It's the thing I hate the most about winters here. We made a quick run to the store tonight and when you get out of the car, the wind shoves your breath back down your throat.

[ZoloMom]

Originally Posted by AKStafford

It happens. A few times a winter we get these winds. And they'll last a few days... It's the thing I hate the most about winters here. We made a quick run to the store tonight and when you get out of the car, the wind shoves your breath back down your throat.

I am used to stocking up before winter really hits. And my motto is "If I don't have it, I don't need it." (Well maybe just until the next time I go shopping.) It was kind of funny because we are having a mild winter this year and I stocked up for "snowmageddon." Thankfully, my life is pretty flexible so I can stay home on windy days!

Thank you for the info! I can't wait to feel the Alaskan snow crunching under my boots and see my first moose!

[Marty Van Diest]

This winter has not been very windy. But this is a typical Palmer wind. You learn to hold on to your car doors to keep them from being damaged when opening with the wind, and to push very hard to open them against the wind.

I have lived in many places in Alaska...Palmer is my favorite area.

[Marty Van Diest]

I did a video on the wind a few years back. Here it is...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNCjsMaeX94

[4brynnenjosh]

Wow Marty, that wind is crazy... But the scenery! Gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing!

[AK76]

One aspect that has been overlooked regarding the wind is the air quality. Often times, when the described winds are blowing there is a large amount of glacial silt, whether from the Matanuska river, Knik river, or Susitna river basins, that is picked up by the wind creating poor air quality and degraded visibility. At times, this current event in fact, that the dust is visible in the air over Anchorage and further south and is so dense that the scenery is obscured beyond detection. There are several events during the course of the year when, looking from Anchorage or Eagle River, one sees a river of brown dust 1000ft high flowing/blowing from one of the aforementioned basins.

[AKStafford]

Last night I was driving home from Pt. Mac just as the moon was rising over the Chugiak Mountains. With the dust in the air, it was the color of a blood orange. I wish I could've gotten a picture, but I wasn't getting out of the truck if I didn't have to...

[ZoloMom]

Oh my goodness! It is sooo beautiful! More beautiful than I had hoped! And, yes, windy days we will definitely have to stay in! Wow! I am going to watch some more of your videos. Thank you Marty!

[Marty Van Diest]

Haha. Didn't take the video to show off the beauty although it IS beautiful. Sometimes we get jaded living here...until we leave and realize what we are missing.