A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake near Hokkaido prompted Japan to issue a tsunami warning, highlighting both strong ground shaking and immediate coastal hazards for Sapporo and nearby communities. Details in the post are limited, but the alert suggests authorities anticipated potentially dangerous waves following the mainshock.

About 20,000 households were without power late Saturday afternoon, from Glacier View to Knik Goose Bay Road. Some railroad crossings were disabled due to wind damage.

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck at 11:41 a.m. AKST on Dec. 6 about 58 miles north of Yakutat, Alaska, followed by a vigorous aftershock sequence with several above magnitude 5. No tsunami warning was issued and no injuries or damage had been reported as of early afternoon.

Elevated lead levels were found in drinking water fixtures at Mildred Hall School in Yellowknife, the fourth Yellowknife school to test positive this year. The N.W.T. government will fund alternate drinking water for any territorial school while testing and remediation continue.

An arctic cold front drove overnight lows to record levels in Maine, with Portland hitting 2°F and Augusta 3°F and wind chills below zero. Communities opened warming centers as forecasters warned wind chills could drop to minus 30°F in parts of the state.

A Grand Arctic Resort guide fell through river ice with a snowmobile on the Kalix River near a bridge in Överkalix while grooming winter trails. He got wet but climbed out uninjured; the snowmobile and sled sank and were to be salvaged the next day.

The 81-foot tender F/V Pavlof sank Thursday morning while moored in Haines Harbor, prompting an oil-containment response and salvage efforts. Harbor staff, divers, and local vessels worked through low tide to free the vessel and limit contamination.

Ahead of the Lârsêraq Ski Festival in Sisimiut, organizers are still waiting for the season’s first real snow, an unusual situation linked to warming winters. The youth-focused cross-country event is set for Dec. 10–14, and may adapt if snow arrives late.

Residents in Hammerfest observed a chain of 15–20 lights crossing the sky, likely a Starlink satellite train. The unusual sight prompted speculation before being linked to satellites.

Reykjavík’s Health Inspection warns of high particulate matter near major roads in Reykjavík and Kópavogur during calm, dry weather, advising children, older adults, and people with respiratory illness to avoid busy roads and for the public to use alternatives to private cars.

SMHI warned of icy conditions in northern Sweden, and Skellefteå’s ER saw a surge of patients injured in falls. Staff report “casting non‑stop,” with most injuries linked to extremely slippery streets and sidewalks.

Authorities in Rovaniemi warn that river ice is extremely weak and going onto the ice is life‑threatening. Locals and businesses are urged not to set a bad example for tourists unfamiliar with ice safety.

A Bozeman hunter’s bird dog in eastern Montana was found with an Ixodes scapularis tick, raising concerns that Lyme disease–carrying ticks might be establishing themselves in the region.

In Uelen, Chukotka, a volunteer 'Bear Patrol' has been driving away a white bear for over a week after its initial appearance on February 26, attracted by the scent of stored walrus meat. The bear’s recurring intrusion has raised concerns as Uelen lies along the polar bear migration route, and similar incidents have reportedly tripled compared to previous years.

Above-zero temperatures are rapidly melting the snow cover in Luleå, prompting questions about the future of winter.

Flooding caused by rapid snowmelt and rain in the Inland Northwest led to multiple road closures and forced highway maintenance crews to pump water off major roadways.

The 90th annual Fur Rendezvous Festival kicked off Thursday around Anchorage and is expected to feature its traditional late-winter celebration, despite a winter season marred by low snowfall.

Anchorage starts the Fur Rendezvous Festival with only a trace of snow on the ground under unexpectedly mild winter conditions, although dump trucks delivered snow to the racecourse for event activities.

A watch was issued for the Atka Volcanic Complex following a small explosive event that may have released a limited amount of volcanic ash. The Alaska Volcano Observatory is closely monitoring activity using seismic data, infrasound sensors, and web cameras.

Eagles in Unalaska are nesting earlier than usual, prompting local authorities to caution residents about potentially aggressive territorial behavior near the nests.