Alaska
Colder weather spreads south across Mainland Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Colder, quieter and sunnier weather is taking hold across Mainland Alaska. While some areas of cloud cover is to be expected, the general trend towards clearer skies will mean colder mornings. Some of the coldest conditions will remain through the Interior, with highs in Southcentral set to drop an additional five to ten degrees. We’ll see the coldest weather for the state through the middle of the week.
SOUTHCENTRAL:
Many areas of Southcentral are waking up this morning to temperatures nearly five to 25 degrees colder than this time yesterday morning. This trend towards colder weather will carry us through the middle of the week, with daily highs expected to continue to drop. By Wednesday it‘s possible we’ll see most of the region hover in the low to mid-20s for highs.
While quiet weather will headline much of this week, there will be the potential for snow showers as the week draws to a close. Right now it’s looking likely only minor amounts of snow are to be expected, with Anchorage likely picking up an inch or snow of snowfall.
While the return to snow will mean a brief warming trend through the weekend, much of this month will continue to trend on the colder side.
SOUTHEAST:
Some spotty activity is occurring this morning, as an area of low pressure in the eastern Gulf of Alaska continues to weaken. While most of the showers will remain on the outer coast, some inland locations could see a hit or miss shower through the morning. Much of the panhandle will see a trend towards sunnier weather this week, with colder conditions slowly spilling south.
While the first half of the week will largely be on the drier side, the second half of the week will lead to areas of rain and snow in the forecast. Higher elevations will see all snow, with locations at sea level likely seeing areas of wintry mix. This comes as temperatures are set to drop into the mid-30s later this week, with overnight lows in the 20s.
INTERIOR:
While a generally quiet and cold weather pattern is settling into the Interior, some light snow is falling through southeastern parts of the region. This will slowly spread north through the day, with one to two inches of snow expected. The bigger headline for the Interior, is the bitter cold that is settling into the region. We‘ll see a large portion of this week lead to highs in the single digits, while overnight lows will drop well below zero. It’s not out of the question that some areas of the Interior could drop as low as minus 20 over the coming mornings.
SLOPE/WESTERN ALASKA:
Much like the rest of the state, cold air is settling into the Slope. While it’s not bitter cold air, we will see daily highs remaining in the teens, while overnight lows dip into the single digits. Some light snow showers are possible, with breezy winds remaining through the week. Any snow will likely amount to less than an inch, with winds leading to some localized areas of blowing snow.
Out west, some light areas of snow showers are possible. While these are expected to move east through the day, expect a general weakening trend for inland locations. We’ll hold onto areas of flurries and light snow through the middle of the week, with daily highs remaining in the 20s. With overnight lows dropping into the single digits and teens, expect wind chills to be even colder at times.
ALEUTIANS:
Areas of rain, snow and winds will impact the Aleutians this week, although there will be plenty of dry time. The rain won’t be impressive, as most locations only see scattered to periodic activity through the week. The better chance for any wintry mix will occur during the night and early mornings hours, where overnight lows manage to drop into the low to mid-30s. The Aleutians will be one of the few areas of the state where no significant cool down is expected, as this week will lead to highs in the 40s.
OUTLOOK AHEAD:
After spending the first third of the month with well above average temperatures, the state is set to cool off. While bitter cold doesn‘t look to impact the entire state, expect a general trend towards cooler conditions. This will mean more opportunities for highs in the 20s across Southcentral, with even colder conditions to the north. There’s also signs that much of Mainland Alaska will remain on the drier side the next few weeks, although there will be signs of snow building into southern parts of the state later this week.
Have a safe and wonderful Veterans Day!
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Two US soldiers were wounded by a brown bear during a training exercise in Alaska on Thursday, the US Army stated.
Anchorage Daily News reported that the soldiers were from the 11th Airborne Division, and that the exercise had been a “land navigation training event” near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
State wildlife officials said that the bear attack seemed to be a defensive one, from a bear which had recently emerged from its den. Staff members from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game collected evidence at the scene in an attempt to learn more about the bear, such as its species and gender.
“The incident is currently under investigation, and we are working closely with installation authorities and local wildlife officials to gather all relevant information and ensure the safety of all personnel in the area,” the 11th Airborne Division said in a statement, reported ABC News.
ABC News also cited an 11th Airborne Division spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Jo Nederhoed, who said that the two soldiers had been seriously wounded, but were receiving care at a hospital in Anchorage, and had shown improvement by Saturday morning.
“We hope both individuals have a full and quick recovery, and our thoughts are with them during this time,” Fish and Game Regional Supervisor Cyndi Wardlow said in a statement reported by Anchorage Daily News. “In this case, having bear spray with them in the field may have saved their lives.”
Both of the soldiers reportedly had and used bear spray during the attack.
The bear’s condition and whereabouts are currently unknown.
Up, up and away … that’s where most travel prices are going.
It’s true. Not only are our nation’s geopolitical thrusts in the Mideast affecting the cost of your fill-ups, every component of your trip from airfares to car rentals and hotel stays are subject to price hikes.
Imagine filling up a jetliner with jet fuel that’s doubled in price. It’s enough to melt your credit card, regardless of the number of points you get for every dollar spent!
Because the price of oil affects everything, higher prices are eating away at your travel budget in many ways.
Bag fees
There’s lots of press on this. All airlines are increasing their checked-bag fees because of the jump in fuel prices.
Back in 2009, Alaska Airlines instituted a $15 fee for the first checked bag and $25 for the second bag. At the time, there was no charge for the first bag and a second bag was $25.
Last week, Alaska Airlines, along with other major airlines, increased its fees to $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second bag. Delta Air Lines charges the same.
Even if the cost of oil comes down, I don’t expect bag fees will ever be reduced.
Travelers who live in Alaska are somewhat insulated from the new hikes because both Delta and Alaska Airlines offer two free checked bags, with conditions:
1. Alaska offers two free checked bags for travelers flying to or from Alaska who are enrolled in Club 49. This does not affect other flights on Alaska. Separately, ATMOS credit card holders can get a free checked bag. Also, elite members of the ATMOS scheme get one or two free checked bags systemwide.
2. Delta offers two free checked bags for travelers flying to or from Alaska who are SkyMiles members who live in Alaska. Again, this does not apply to other Delta flights. Separately, Delta American Express cardholders can get a free checked bag.
3. Elite-level travelers with the oneworld airline cartel, including Alaska Airlines, can get one or two checked bags on American, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Qantas or other oneworld carriers.
[Anchorage’s international airport rolls out self-driving wheelchairs]
Main Cabin vs. Basic Economy
The spread between the lowest available price, Basic Economy, and a more flexible ticket, Main Cabin, has increased. While the difference used to be $20-$30 each way when the Basic Economy scheme was introduced in 2018, the round-trip upcharge now can exceed $100.
For example, the lowest Basic fare to Portland is $337 round-trip on Alaska Airlines. The upcharge to Main Cabin, with full loyalty points, pre-assigned seats and more flexibility on changes and cancellations, is $447, a 33% upcharge.
This trend is not specifically attributable to the new Iran War. It’s just a cost that continues to rise.
New fees
I’m impressed at the creativity of airline people who dream up new fees. Here are some of my favorites from Alaska Airlines:
1. Phone reservations: $15
2. Partner award booking fee: $12.50
3. Pet travel fee: $100 in the cabin, $200 in the baggage compartment with a kennel
4. Left on board item return fee: $20
On Condor Airlines, operating the only nonstop service from Anchorage to Europe, travelers can choose from four different bundles in economy class. The least-expensive, Economy Zero, from $840 round-trip, features fees for travelers:
1. Carry-on bag fee, up to 8kg: $35; a small bag like a purse always is included for free
2. Checked bag: $75
3. Airport check-in: $30
All three of these fees are included in the next-highest fare bucket, Economy Classic, from $900 round-trip. It’s cheaper to buy the bundle than it is to buy the components a la carte. Seat assignments are additional, from $25 for economy.
Airfares on the rise
There are a few good deals available for travel to select West Coast/Intermountain destinations in May, including:
1. Anchorage-San Francisco on Alaska Airlines, from $307 round-trip. Fly May 15-28 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main cabin.
2. Anchorage-Los Angeles on Alaska Airlines, from $317 round-trip. May 15-25 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main.
3. Anchorage-Phoenix on United, Delta or Alaska, from $267-$287 round-trip. Fly May 8-June 9 only. Add $90-$100 for Main.
4. Anchorage-Denver $357 round-trip on Delta. Fly May 8-June 9 only. Add $90 round-trip for Main.
For travel to other destinations, or later in the summer, be prepared to pay more.
Flying to Hawaii? Alaska Air’s nonstop prices out at $706 round-trip between May 30 and June 6. Add $110 round-trip for Main.
Nonstop flights from Anchorage to Salt Lake City start at $669 round-trip with Delta on May 17. That’s $100 more than the cost for the same flights last month. Add $90 more for Main.
Hotel costs continue to rise, accompanied by pesky resort fees.
The Outrigger on the Beach in Waikiki is a very nice beachfront hotel. It’s not plush, or the nicest property. But it’s solid. The cost is $334 per night.
But there’s more: a $50 per night resort fee, plus a variety of taxes and charges, totaling $112.55 per night.
Down in Seattle, the Sound Hotel in the Belltown neighborhood is marketed by Hilton. The discounted rate for “Honors” members — it’s free to join — is $313.34 per night for a king room in late May. Taxes and fees add an extra $56.40 per night.
There’s no appreciable bump yet for hotel rates as a result of the oil price surge. Yet. But if these hotel rates seem high, they’re in line with hotel rates in Anchorage this summer. At the Sheraton in Anchorage in June, it’s $450 per night, plus $54 in taxes and fees, when booked at Expedia.
Car rentals are not cheap
My go-to site for car rentals is the Costco site, which compares major brands and automatically includes Costco discounts.
In Las Vegas, for a one-day rental in May, Budget charges $67 per day, which includes taxes and fees of $22.77. In Anchorage, the same kind of car, medium SUV, costs $92.97 with Alamo.
The biggest differences so far in car rental rates seems to be the bill you’ll pay when you fill up the tank before returning. There’s no appreciable jump in prices because of the new war.
When it comes to making travel arrangements for the spring and summer, it’s more risky making completely non-refundable arrangements.
I made the decision to purchase most of my summer travel plans in advance, but only after determining I would not need to change the dates. Particularly with airline tickets, it’s expensive to change your dates.
There’s lots of uncertainty regarding travel arrangements, particularly international travel. As fuel prices go up due to oil shortages, travel companies will look for ways to recoup the increased costs. In most cases, those higher costs will be borne by travelers.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has led to a decrease in oil prices nationally, but Alaska’s senior senator said the state faces a different situation that could threaten rural communities.
“If you can’t produce power because you don’t have the diesel or you just can’t pay the prices, your little communities can collapse,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said at a Friday press conference at the Arctic Encounter Summit in Anchorage.
The price of oil has been a double-edged sword for Alaska. On one hand, the increased price of North Slope oil brings more revenue to the state, but consumer prices can also rise.
North Slope oil prices were $106.36 a barrel on Thursday.
“This is a very precarious time,” Murkowski said. “Our state has enjoyed a bounty because we have benefited from the higher prices of oil that goes into our treasury, but it’s the Alaskans in … the off-road communities that are threatened to be hit most hard.”
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