Weather is unpredictable. It’s a cure of the modern world; we can plan for everything except the changing winds. We try to predict whether or not the weekend will be clear and sunny, or hazy, or rainy, but the truth is that we have a very limited view on weather patterns. For instance, today started out clear, sunny, not a cloud in the sky. It was only supposed to hit 65 degrees out. The day was predicted to take a down turn around noon, when a colder front from the ocean would come in and create clouds, and a little rain. Did this happen? No, it didn’t. It’s 2 PM and there are still no clouds in the sky and it’s a balmy 70 degrees.
Ah, the constant battle in Alaska. Weather is a clever foe. First thing is always pack a pair of jeans, doesn’t matter if its 90 outside and you’re in Fairbanks. In two days it could plummet to 60 degrees and start snowing. Stranger things have happened (Locals will remember 2 feet of snow in Anchorage in mid-March in 2004). Jeans give you the option to not freeze your legs off, and they protect from bugs. Another ‘must pack’ are cotton tee shirts. Hikers, bikers, and mountaineers will say no because if you fall in a lake, cotton is the heaviest and takes the longest to dry, but if you’re out walking on the town cotton will wick moisture and insulate you against unexpected chills.
The best advice I can give is that you should take the meteorologists words with a grain of salt and be prepared for anything Mother Nature may toss your way. Go with your gut, if the weatherman says it’s going to be cloudy and you look outside to see not a cloud in the sky enjoy it while it lasts and keep a weather eye out!
