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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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2 found dead after residential fires in Mat-Su
Two individuals died in separate fires in Mat-Su, with one victim found outside his home after escaping the blaze, potentially succumbing to extreme cold.
Palmer, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Chris Klint, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Rural Chugach Electric customers deal with 'excessive' winter outages
Chugach Electric acknowledges the high frequency of winter power outages in Cooper Landing and Moose Pass, attributing them to heavy snowfall and considering solutions like local maintenance crews.
Moose Pass, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Cold, wet weather delays lucrative peony harvest in Southcentral Alaska
Alaska is one of the only places in the world where peony flowers grow in the summer months. But the unusually cold, wet weather this year is delaying the blooms by weeks.
Willow, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

With Anchorage schools remote again, another storm hitting Southcentral Alaska
With Anchorage schools remote again due to a 17-inch snowfall and strong winds, another storm is hitting Southcentral Alaska, potentially causing power outages as trees fall on electric lines.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Chris Klint, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Anchorage digs out of more than a foot of wet, heavy snow
All schools in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Borough are closed Wednesday due to slick roads across the region, as snowfall continues. “This is the heaviest snowfall the Anchorage area has seen in over 20 years,” said state Department of Transportation spokesman Justin Shelby. “Our crews are keeping up as best they can.”
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Chris Klint, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Monday storm again closes Anchorage, Mat-Su schools and state offices
A winter storm in Anchorage and Mat-Su, Alaska has caused closures of state offices, schools, and bus services, with reports of stranded vehicles and accidents, and up to a foot of snow expected in some areas.
Matanuska Valley, Alaska, United States

Southcentral Alaska cold snap and surging natural gas demand put supply in question
A cold snap in Southcentral Alaska has led to increased natural gas demand, causing Enstar to struggle with supply due to equipment failure and technical issues.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Firefighters work to contain Anchorage wildfire
The fire also comes as the state of Alaska enters its second highest level of fire preparedness, based on the high number of wildfires burning statewide and the possibility for more.

Anchorage sets new record for amount of snow on the ground in April
Snow dumped on Southcentral Alaska this weekend, with more than 8 inches falling in the Anchorage area and about 5 inches in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. A Climatologist says this weekend has led to a record amount of snowpack this late in the season.
Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

A million households have lost power so far as major winter storm blasts the U.S.
A major winter storm is continuing to bring heavy snow, blizzard conditions and significant ice from California to the Northeast on Thursday.
United States

Kivalina neighbors banded together to save a house from falling into the sea amid last week’s storm
Kivalina has long dealt with climate change-driven erosion. While the village didn’t feel the effects of heavy flooding, residents are wary of a future with heavy autumn storms.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States
Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Iditarod mushers cope with warm temperatures as they arrive at Alaska Range
Mushers shrugged off jackets and dogs sunbathed in the snow as temperatures hovered around 40 degrees — hot by Alaska winter standards.
Rainy Pass, Alaska
Lex Treinen, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Roof of vacant, condemned Anchorage warehouse partially collapses under snow load
The warehouse at 4640 Gambell St. damaged Wednesday is owned by Marten Martensen, the primary owner of the Continental Auto Group in Anchorage. He was part of a group that purchased the property in October 2022 and briefly used it to store around 10,000 tires until last December’s successive snowstorms caused the structure to begin collapsing.

Anchorage's early snow unofficial but pleasing to zoo's polar bears, otters
Snow blanketed parts of Alaska’s largest city Tuesday morning, as Anchorage saw an early, though unofficial, first snowfall of the season. It's technically unofficial because none was reported at the National Weather Service’s official measuring spot on the city’s west side.

Weather service warns that strong winds in Anchorage could lead to power outages and downed trees
Intermittent power outages continued across Anchorage Friday as high winds that started the day before toppled trees across the city.

Mat-Su schools closed Tuesday amid Southcentral rain, icy roads
Light rain is expected to fall across much of the region Tuesday, with a storm possibly bringing more rain to Anchorage on Wednesday.
Palmer, Alaska, United States

Thousands of lightning strikes and another 13 fires recorded as Alaska's intense fire season continues
There were 4,500 lightning strikes in Alaska Tuesday — the latest in a run of days with thousands of ground strikes. There were also another 13 new, primarily lightning sparked wildfires in the state Tuesday, mostly in the Interior. The lightning storms have coincided with very dry conditions.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Utqiagvik reaches record high 40˚F in December
The lack of winter sea ice is keeping temperatures warm. Climatologist Rick Thoman says it's a "very clear climate change signal."
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Chevak rallies to repair storm-damaged subsistence gear
During a community meeting, Chevak residents said better emergency planning should be a long-term priority. For now, though, assessing damage is the focus.
Chevak, Alaska, United States
Emily Schwing, special to Alaska Public Media

2 found dead in vehicle on Steese Highway near Eagle Summit
Two individuals were found deceased in a vehicle on Steese Highway, with recovery delayed by severe weather; no foul play is suspected.
Steese Highway, Alaska, United States

Rough weather delays Kodiak barge deliveries, leaving grocery shelves bare
Safeway on Mill Bay Road is the only large grocery store on the island. And store management expected the barge to bypass Kodiak after its last visit, with a resupply stop scheduled ahead of this past weekend. But snowstorms and gusty weather, including hurricane-force winds, scuttled those plans. “In my entire career, I’ve never seen two successive bypasses,” said Mike Murray, the store director of Kodiak’s Safeway.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States

Dunleavy issues disaster declaration for Interior Alaska and Mat-Su storms
Extreme winds and cold temperatures have affected the areas. At one point over the weekend, 20,000 households in Mat-Su lost power.
Palmer, Alaska, United States

Fuel shortage and blizzard leave St. George residents rationing heat and water
“Whatever led up to the situation where all the sudden we don't have any fuel in the dead of winter, and with all these storms coming through, is beyond me,” said St. George resident Victor Malavansky. “I would like to say this is totally unacceptable.”
Saint George, Alaska, United States

Mat-Su schools closed Tuesday after blizzard hits power lines, highways
Mat-Su schools will be closed Tuesday due to a blizzard causing power outages and hazardous driving conditions.
Matanuska Valley, Alaska, United States

Anchorage has seen almost double its usual snowfall since December
Just this month, more than 23 inches of snow have fallen in Anchorage, 17.5 inches above normal. A weekend storm clogged Anchorage streets, creating hazardous road conditions. The Anchorage School District closed school buildings and canceled after-school activities, calling a remote learning day.

Anchorage and Mat-Su schools closed after 3rd major snowstorm hits the region
Anchorage and Mat-Su Borough schools and state offices are closed Thursday as a third major winter storm this month coated the area with snow overnight Wednesday. “In the past 11 days, we’ve had 41.1 inches of snow which is a lot for Anchorage,” Baines said.

Record-breaking temperatures across Southeast Alaska raise fire risk
Ketchikan became the first city in Alaska to hit 80 degrees this year on Saturday, as three other cities in Southeast Alaska also set temperature records.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Anchorage officials report a second building collapse this weekend with no injuries
This is the second reported roof collapse in Anchorage in two days.

Fluctuating Juneau weather set the stage for an avalanche at Eaglecrest
The upper mountain at Eaglecrest Ski Area in Juneau was closed on Friday following a large avalanche Thursday morning. No one was hurt.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Powerful storm slams Western Alaska
A historically powerful storm slammed into Western Alaska Friday night and into Saturday, bringing major flooding and high winds to a huge swath of coastal communities. By Saturday evening, the state said it had received no reports of injuries or deaths related to the storm. But damage had torn across hundreds of miles of Alaska’s coastline impacting communities all along the way. Alaskans described water flooding homes and roads. Wind tore off roofs. Houses floated off their foundations. Boats sank.
Nome, Alaska, United States

Arctic air hitting Anchorage like a freight train with -25 F wind chill
Unseasonably cold air swept into Alaska’s largest city Thursday, and forecasters expect it to stay through the weekend. The cold is plunging south into Alaska all the way from the North Pole, pushing a band of snow through Southcentral.

2 Anchorage commercial roof collapses reported in 2 days
Both buildings were occupied during the collapses but everyone got out safely and no injuries were reported, according to Anchorage Fire Department spokeswoman Lexi Trainer.

Anchorage Spenard Builders Supply facility suffers major snow-related roof collapse
The Spenard Builders Supply facility in Anchorage suffered a significant roof collapse due to heavy snow, causing no injuries but damaging the structure and nearby utilities.

Southcentral Alaska schools closed amid snowstorm, power outages
Schools in Southcentral Alaska are closed due to a snowstorm and power outages, with the Seward Highway being deemed "impassable" and numerous vehicles stranded.

After dry summer, Nome sets daily rain record
Nome recorded 1.27 inches of rain on Sept. 14
Nome, Alaska, United States

Heavy rains in Southeast Alaska block key roads on Prince of Wales Island
Heavy rains toppled trees and buried roads on Prince of Wales Island Monday. Local and state transportation crews are responding to at least seven landslides blocking roads on the Southeast Alaska island.
Klawock, Alaska, United States

Borough declares local disaster for Talkeetna flood damage
In less than a day, the riverbank was eroded back more than 60 feet, threatening some cabins near the river.
Talkeetna, Alaska, United States

After long, cold winter, Interior summer heat begins with near-record temperatures, flooding
Fairbanks' May 10 temperature was two degrees below the daily record, while snow melt from an above-normal year is flooding Interior rivers.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Warm early winter topples century-old records
For the first time in more than a century with no recorded snow -- not even a trace -- this late in October, as of Tuesday the 16th. On top of that, warm weather across the state is setting marks for the latest freeze date on record.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Unstable snowpack causes heightened avalanche risk in Turnagain Pass this winter
The reason for the uptick in human-triggered avalanches this winter: persistent weak layers in the snowpack.
Turnagain Pass, Alaska

Winter weather, ferry cancellations and road closures disrupt travel in and out of Upper Lynn Canal communities
As of Sunday nearly 60 inches of snow fell in Haines in the last 8 days. That total was higher in some parts of town and more snow is in the forecast.
Haines, Alaska, United States

Holiday cold snap breaks records, may save Northwest Alaska snowmachine races
It’s a dramatic drop from this winter’s balmy start, but this is a normal weather pattern for this time of year.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Napakiak loses access to a main road as riverbank erosion persists
Storms tore more land away from Napakiak’s already heavily eroded riverbank in early August. About eight feet of bank fell into the Kuskokwim River, adding to the more than 100 feet of shoreline that has already been lost this year.
Napakiak, Alaska, United States

Why has Bethel been so wet? It’s been swimming in an atmospheric river
An “atmospheric river" is what it sounds like - a channel of very moist air coursing across the globe, up in the air. And it’s what’s been drenching parts of Alaska, including the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

High temperatures in Utqiaġvik confuse NOAA algorithm
This November in Utqiaġvik was the hottest on record, averaging 17.2°F. It was so warm that NOAA's quality control algorithms flagged the data. “When we look out on the ocean right now we see a few icebergs,” Thomas said. “Normally we would see white to the horizon in the past, and in this case we’re seeing dark water to the horizon.”
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Ravenna Koenig, Alaska's Energy Desk - Fairbanks

Fairbanks is riding a weather roller coaster, from freezing rain to snow and frigid cold
Department of Transportation crews are battling a thick coating of ice on roads, and the local utility, Golden Valley Electric, continues working to restore electricity to pockets of customers.

Russian River flooding is affecting Kodiak residents
Russian River flooded last week in Kodiak leaving some residents scrambling to address the damage.
Womens Bay, Alaska, United States

Railroad traffic still stalled as Talkeetna flooding recedes
Flooding that halted Alaska Railroad trains north of Talkeetna Saturday, has receded, but train traffic remains shut down. Listen now
Curry, Alaska, United States

After two-week delay, sled dog racing season kicks off on the Kuskokwim
Sled dog racing season officially began on the Kuskokwim this weekend. Listen now
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Chinook gusts up to 80 mph knock out power around Interior
Golden Valley Electric Association crews are still working to repair damage to power lines caused by warm chinook winds that blasted the Interior over the weekend, especially around Delta Junction.
Delta Junction, Alaska, United States

State report details potential health impacts of climate change
How will climate change affect health in Alaska? Dangerous travel conditions could cause more accidents, warmer temperatures could spread new diseases and the topsy-turvy weather could worsen mental health. Those are some conclusions from a new state report released Monday. Listen now
Newtok, Alaska, United States
Rachel Waldholz, Alaska's Energy Desk - Anchorage

Bethel highway repair begins as warm winter destroys state roads across Alaska
Starting Thursday, the Department of Transportation will begin repairing Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway. The warm winter has wreaked similar havoc on highways across Alaska.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Skagway rocked by second landslide in under 2 weeks
Early Tuesday morning, a rockslide crashed into Skagway’s largest cruise ship dock. It was the second slide event in less than two weeks and caused a pair of cruise ships to divert to other ports. Some Skagway residents are calling on the city and the private company that owns the dock to take action.
Skagway, Alaska, United States

Wildfire season living longer than usual due to hot dry weather
Hot, dry weather over the northern Interior is keeping wildfire season alive longer than normal.
White Mountains, Alaska, United States

Winter storms flood houses in Nunapitchuk and Kotlik
Storms battered the southern Bering Sea and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta last month. February storms aren’t unusual, but the amount of rain and flooding is. The combination caused a lot of damage for two communities in the region.
Kotlik, Alaska, United States

‘Merciless’ rain in Southeast Alaska breaks records, dampens spirits
Record rainfall in parts of Southeast are just one more reason 2020 will be a year some will be happy to forget. Ketchikan recorded 47 inches of rain from June to August.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

Unalaska records 120 mph winds during record-breaking August storm
The strong winds toppled boats, threw shipping containers into the bay, and even blew the windows out of American President Lines crane. The winds came during a storm from the remnants of Typhoon Bavi.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States

Ask a Climatologist: Snow melt around the state is right on schedule
An early melt-out date can make for an especially bad wildfire season, but this year, it’s right on schedule for much of the state. Listen now
Annie Feidt, Alaska's Energy Desk - Anchorage

Sitka considers code changes in landslide zones
The state is currently mapping the potential risk for landslides in Sitka. This time next year, the Sitka Assembly will be presented with a community-wide map. Listen now
Sitka, Alaska, United States

No injuries in Sitka Labor Day landslide
A landslide in Sitka early Monday afternoon stranded people on either end of the road system for about eight hours, but otherwise there no reports of damage or injuries.
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Freezing rain warning issued in Yellowknife during a mild late January
Yellowknife encountered unusual weather with freezing rain and temperatures around -1°C, despite average late January temperatures being around -20°C.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Drought-related disaster declared in Rhode Island, most of New England experiencing drought conditions
Federal officials have declared a drought-related disaster in Rhode Island while New England’s second-largest city is restricting outdoor water use as the drought in the Northeast worsens.
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Connecticut Public

Most of Hay River's 2 Seasons Adventures beach front campground wiped out by weekend storm
A Hay River tourism operation on the shoreline of Great Slave Lake has been hit hard by high water and high wind.
Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

July on pace to set rainfall record in Yellowknife
With several days left in July, there's a chance that Yellowknife may be on track to break the monthly and summer records for precipitation.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

White Mountains, North Country hit hard by storm that caused flooding, closed roads
A storm caused flooding and road closures in New Hampshire's White Mountains and North Country, with ongoing concerns about rising river levels and dam operations.
Concord, New Hampshire, United States
New Hampshire Public Radio

Drivers battle wet, icy roads and floods
Much of the state became one heck of an ice rink over the weekend, with temperatures spiking into the 40s in much of Southcentral Alaska and thawing reported as far north as Fairbanks.
Alaska Dispatch

Windy winter good for wind generation
Fire Island is producing more than expected for this time of year according to Ethan Schutt, senior vice president of land and development for Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) the Alaska Native corporation that operates the wind farm. So far about 17,000 megawatt hours have been produced, enough to power roughly 6,500 Southcentral homes each month.
Alaska Dispatch

Fort St. John tornado event confirmed
Environment Canada is confirming a weak tornado that hit Fort St. John last month. The tornado was generated by a severe thunderstorm Aug.
Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada
Alaska Highway News

The changing nature of Canada's forest supply as fires, bugs, and climate bite
Mills in the heart of Canada's timber industry have fallen quieter this winter as wildfires and infestations made worse by climate change have made vast tracts of once valuable forest into barren stands of dead trees.
Fraser Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Alaska Highway News

Citing safety concerns, airlines refuse to fly to permafrost-damaged Tununak Airport
About a year ago, Tununak opened a $19 million, state-of-the-art airport, but shifting permafrost is buckling the runway.
Tununak, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

3 Interior Alaska towns just had their warmest month on record
To varying degrees, nearly the entire state was warmer than normal this July, according to a weather expert.
Tanana, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

Autumn storm that battered Utqiaġvik coastline caused more than $10 million in damage
The storm began Sept. 28 and continued for several days. A handful of Utqiaġvik’s roads were damaged or destroyed, and the community's freshwater source was nearly compromised.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

Skagway broke its all-time high temperature record on Saturday
Skagway set an all-time record high temperature of 93 degrees, and other records were broken across Southeast Alaska.
Skagway, Alaska, United States

Alaska’s farming future is warmer, and probably weirder
The state's small farms are booming amid longer growing seasons and thriving farmers markets. But climate change has also made for less predictable weather.

Hurricane Maria’s aftermath: ‘There will be no food in Puerto Rico’
In a matter of hours, Hurricane Maria wiped out about 80 percent of the crop value in Puerto Rico — making it one of the costliest storms to hit the island’s agriculture industry.
Yabucoa, Yabucoa, Puerto Rico
Frances Robles, Luis Ferre-Sadurni, The New York Times

Miserable stretches of trail prompt Iditarod to move race start to Fairbanks
Major changes with the environment are creating trail hazards, an official said. The ceremonial start for 74 sled-dog teams will remain in Anchorage on March 4.

Flood warnings in effect for Alaska’s Bering Sea coastline
Waters were expected to reach their highest levels Monday night and into Tuesday.
Bering Sea, Alaska

At Denali base camp, unseasonable warmth creates dangers for climbers
The fall of a climber into a crevasse highlighted this season's risky combination of crumbling snow bridges and splintered climbing teams.
Kahiltna Glacier, Mount Denali, Alaska, United States

Storm causes flooding, erosion across Northwest Alaska
"Yesterday we came over to do an assessment of the high-water flood storm," said Northwest Arctic Borough Deputy Director of Public Services Dickie Moto, who grew up in Deering. "They lost a lot of ground on the front and on the back side of town because of the high water and rough seas.
Deering, Alaska, United States

Blanket of fog envelops Anchorage
A heavy fog that rolled into Anchorage in time for Halloween is expected to persist into Thursday afternoon.

Lowest Temperatures in Years Coming to Southcentral and Interior Alaska
In Anchorage, the temperatures forecast for this week won't come close to breaking any city records, Ahsenmacher said. But they are a departure from years of mild winters that rarely saw temperatures below zero.

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