We are only days past the fall equinox, but it snowed here this morning in the Susitna Valley. It was only a few flakes interspersed with spits of sleet and it melted when it hit the ground, but snow it did, and by the end of this month, we will almost certainly have snow on the ground. Looking south to the Chugach Mountains or over to the Talkeetna Range we can see the snowline making its way down the slopes. We regularly get snowfalls measured in feet here, and they get more impressive the farther you go north. When you get north of Broad Pass on the Parks Highway, the snow levels can get downright intimidating.

This explains why Alaska Governor Dunleavy has declared the first week in October to be Winter Weather Preparedness Week. Because, you know, Alaskans have to be reminded about winter weather.

Most have already seen the snow on the Chugach Mountain Range, seen the posts of the snow creeping into Sutton and Glacier View, or felt the morning chill and seen the frost on the ground as everyone heads to work or school. Winter is coming.

In the spirit of the upcoming winter season, Governor Mike Dunleavy has made a proclamation that this first week of October is Winter Weather Preparedness Week as a way to remind residents that while the winter brings its own kind of beauty with the snow-capped mountains and icy lakes and rivers, and as people dust off their snow machines, skis, snowboards, and augers, Alaska’s winter weather also presents danger and challenges Alaskans must prepare for to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their property.

“Winter conditions in Alaska can increase travel difficulty. Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death indirectly for de-icing and driving, and remain alert while operating motorized vehicles. Travelers should allow additional time,” the Governor proclaimed.

Mind you, this is all excellent advice. One would think reminding Alaskans of how to cope with winter weather would be hauling coals to Newcastle, but every year we seem to read of someone here in the Last Frontier running afoul of severe weather, and it's not always visitors, either. It's snow surprise that the Governor would want to publicly urge caution just to let residents know what's at flake here. It's a winterful life, as long as you prepare accordingly - as is true of anywhere that has winter weather. Carry blankets and fresh water in your vehicle. Dress for the weather, not the drive. Keep your gas tank above half-full at all times. Make sure you have backup heating and lighting for your home. It's all common sense, of course, but as the Old Man used to say, "common sense, isn't."

I would point out that folks outside the Great Land would also do well to mark Governor Dunleavy's advice, as we aren't the only state to have severe winter weather. Also, we do get quite a few outside visitors in winter as well as summer. In fact, a year or so back, while bumming around in the woods looking for snowshoe hares, I came across a neighbor closely examining the snow. When I asked him what he was up to, he told me, "I'm pretty sure Will Smith just walked through here." When asked what made him arrive at that conclusion, he said, "I found fresh prints."

It's Alaska! We expect winter weather, and by and large, we're ready for it. In a few more weeks, we'll be busting out the turtlenecks, woolen scarves, snow boots, and heavy coats - and our snow machines, which you folks down in the lower 48 call snowmobiles. Winter here is wonderful, beautiful, pristine, clean, and cold, cold, cold! If ill-informed people in the lower 48 will just leave our gas and wood stoves alone, we'll get along fine, thanks. We have our own brand of climate just-ice up here, after all.

This seems appropriate.