ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Much of the start of the world's most famous sled dog race is covered in barren gravel, forcing Iditarod organizers to move the start further north where there is snow and ice.
A weather pattern that buried the eastern U.S. in snow has left Alaska fairly warm and relatively snow-free this winter, especially south of the Alaska Range. A stalled jet stream is moving warm Pacific air to Alaska and pushing cold Arctic air to the Midwest and East Coast.
And please don't joke to Iditarod race director Mark Nordman that they should move the race to Boston. He's only heard that a million times.
Instead, officials are moving Monday's official start over the Alaska Range to Fairbanks. The ceremonial start remains Saturday in Anchorage.