Engstrom RoadMoving to the Matanuska Valley brings with it beautiful mountain vistas, large lots covered in birch and spruce, quiet neighborhoods and pristine wilderness settings.  Often, we neglect to mention the dreaded MATANUSKA WIND! The photo is of Engstom Road just yesterday taken from my junker Toyota truck as I was on my way to a 1PM appointment.  Click on it to see the wind blowing over the snowberm.

This wind starts at the headwaters of the Matanuska Valley right at the Matanuska Glacier and gradually picks up speed as the Chugach and Talkeetna Mountains funnel it right into Palmer and Wasilla.  After hitting the main part of the valley it spreads and diminishes. 

This isn’t a constant wind, it usually lasts a few days and and then calms down again.  I’m sure this isn’t scientific, but I have become accustomed to expecting the wind within a day or two of a fresh snowfall.  However, we have had so many snowfalls this winter that I haven’t been able to keep track of this rule.

This wind then takes all that fresh snow, sweeps it off the open fields and river beds, and dumps it into all the driveways and roads.  Then all the snow plow drivers spend about a day cleaning up the roads.  And the homeowners shovel, blow, or plow their own driveways.  Sorry, your taxes don’t pay to keep your driveway clean, I think they should. 

Keep this in mind as you are looking at that quaint home with the driveway that meanders through the birches right up to your garage.  Just how long is that driveway?  What will it cost to hire a snow plow?  Where will you put all that white stuff in the heavy snow years like this one? 

Most importantly consider these questions.  Does that driveway go up or down a steep hill?  Does that drive run perpendicular to the Matanuska wind?  Are there large open areas up wind of the home?  If your answer to any of the above questions is yes…plan accordingly.  You may still want the home for other reasons, but you will need to make a plan for windy days. 

Some driveways fill with 3 foot drifts that are just too hard to plow out.  These take a loader or bulldozer to clear.  But, if you have your own junker truck with a plow on the front you can keep this from happening by getting up a couple times on the windy nights and clearing it before it hardens.  If you don’t have that truck, expect to walk to work in the morning, when the wind is gusting to 90 mph and the temp is 0. 

If all this makes you a little chilly, just remember summer and this beautiful home.