Every March, teams of dogs and sled drivers compete in Alaska’s famous 1,600-kilometer (1,000-mile) Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. But recently, warm temperatures have created a problem for the event: not enough snow.
The 2016 Iditarod was delayed because too little snow had fallen at the starting line in Anchorage. Organizers shipped in snow from colder areas, but it still didn’t cover the ground. It was a bumpy ride!
Lack of snow was also a problem for the 2015 Iditarod. As global temperatures continue to rise because of climate change, the race may have to adapt, says John Walsh. He’s a climate scientist at the University of Alaska. Race officials may need to move the starting point farther north or hold the race earlier in the winter, when there’s more snow.