At lower elevations, there has been melting, hurricane force winds and rain, which have stripped away the snow and left the trails bare, wet, and icy.
Observation by Mike Brubaker:
Warm storms over the past week have brought wind, rain, and spring-like conditions. In the higher elevations to the south (Mt. Alyeska/Turnagain Pass), there have been wet blizzards with several feet of snow. Avalanche conditions are high. At lower elevations there has been melting, hurricane force winds and rain, which have stripped away the snow and left the trails bare, wet, and icy. Moving from place to place is treacherous. Walkers, bikers, drivers all need studs. Southcentral Alaska enters the new year in a bit of a funk, with winter again on hold and a lot of change happening in the hydrology or the area. It was 50 degrees in Anchorage when I took this photo! That is warm by traditional winter standards anywhere in the North, I figure. When is winter, and how long will it last? It is anyone's guess.
Media:
Alaska Dispatch News: (2015-12-31) As winds calm, warm weather topples temperature records around Alaska - "In Anchorage and Fairbanks Wednesday, mercury reached 45 degrees, setting high temperature records for Dec. 30 in both cities." Author: Jerzy Shedlock, Megan Edge
Observations From Members 
