It’s time for Page Two: news that might not make the front page on Friday September 19, 2025
The winter forecast is developing, but with a large question mark attached. According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, there’s a 71 percent chance of a La Niña setting in by October.
La Niña is usually a cold weather event. Stronger than usual trade winds push warm water toward Asia during La Nina. This causes cold waters to rise to the surface off the west coast of the Americas. La Nina can cause drought in the southern United States as well as heavy rains and flooding in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
In an interview on Alaska Public Media, National Weather Service climate researcher Brian Brettschneider said La Nina generally means cooler falls and cooler winters in Alaska.
But not always, because La Nina is one piece of the climate puzzle for winter. Tropical cyclones, sea ice, or a polar vortex also influence weather patterns, Brettshneider said. Even so, La Niña winters sometimes produce more snow in Alaska because would-be rain turns into snow. And La Nina’s colder temperatures can produce a fluffier powder snow.
But you never know. One of Southcentral’s snowiest winters on record was a La Nina. And yet another record-breaking snow year was an El Nino which tends to produce warmer and wetter winters.
One thing is for sure though. Termination dust is on the top of the mountains and winter will arrive sooner or later one way or another.
Here are some events coming up:
- It’s the final weekend for Aboveboard at Valley Performing Arts. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 7pm and a Sunday matinee at 2pm. Buy tickets online
- The third annual Kombucha Palooza is at 203 Kombucha today and tomorrow. Tom the Booch Maestro hosts a tap takeover with 14 favorite small batch flavors from the past year along with live music and soft pretzels by Lekker.
And tonight:
- The Alaska Comedy Showcase at Everett’s is hosted by Sabrina Speers. It starts at 7:30 for adults 18 years and older
- Music by Dude Mountain at Palmer Ale House, 7-10 pm
- Music by Lulu Small at the Fishhook Bar and Grill starting at 7pm
And on Saturday
- The Emergency Expo takes over the Menard Sports Center in Wasilla, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s free and all ages welcome.
- Local author Marybeth Holleman signs copies of her new book Bloom Again from 1pm to 4 pm at Fireside Books
- Music by the Honeybucket Stringband at Hatcher Pass Lodge. 5-7 pm
- Taste of Hope fundraiser for the American Cancer Society Everett’s features competitions of dishes from local and renowned restaurants in a walk-around tasting event. This event is for guests 21+.
- Music by Roland Roberts Band at the Palmer Ale House. 7-10pm
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That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Friday Sept. 19, 2025