Snow a reminder to use winter sense

Autumn came to a sudden end as a low pressure system swept Southeast over the weekend, bringing a heaping helping of snow to Wrangell.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service issued a weekend winter storm warning Saturday for Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell and Hyder. A low pressure system pushed across the Gulf of Alaska, bringing warm, moist air into the area and creating the potential for blizzard conditions.

In Juneau and Petersburg, about ten inches of snowfall was recorded over the weekend, with snow tapering off late Sunday. The Juneau Weather Forecast Office was unable to measure Wrangell's snowfall for Sunday's storm due to a lack of observers. As the winter continues, those wishing to report weather conditions can contact the office at 790-6800.

Wrangell's roads fast become piled over with berms, drifts and banks of snow. Though no accidents were reported, pedestrians are advised to be mindful of crossing roads and when possible walk against the grain of traffic for best visibility.

Unlike the previous month, where high winds contributed to a grid-wide power outage for five hours, Wrangell Municipal Light and Power experienced no problems during the storm.

"Everything went just fine," said the department's supervisor, Clay Hammer.

The borough did hit its peak for the year on Saturday, drawing just over 7 megawatt-hours (MWh) of power as temperatures dropped. Hammer said this is becoming normal, with more homes switching from oil- to electric-sourced heating.

"The holidays gave us a little bit of a reprieve," he added, with a number of residents away for Thanksgiving. Last year Hammer said the borough peaked at 8.5 MWh, and can be expected to approach 9 MWh if temperatures get to around zero.

The Associated Press observes this past November was for much of the country the coldest since 1996, and that the drop in temperature could contribute to higher heating prices this winter. To help lighten the load and cut down on monthly utility bills, Hammer recommended some energy-saving tips, such as making use of timers for plug-in heaters and Christmas lights, and investing in a programmable thermostat for heat control.

Checking to make sure the house is properly insulated is also helpful. Look for and seal drafts and air leaks around the house and cover up drafty windows with insulative plastic or curtains. Add insulation over hot water tanks to conserve heat, and check to make sure the draft is closed on unused wood stoves and fireplaces.

Winter is also high time to be mindful of the cold and flu. Among other tips, the Centers for Disease Control recommends washing hands often, keeping dry and warm and keeping up on vaccinations. The latest influenza vaccines are available at Wrangell Medical Center through the rest of flu season, which typically lasts until April.