Rain on Snow

In Porsanger, northern Norway, reindeer herders are requesting emergency grazing access at Oldereidneset after hard ice layers have made natural winter pasture inaccessible, but the municipality advises against granting an exemption. Herders warn of serious animal-welfare risks and say some reindeer are too weak to be moved.

This winter in Anchorage has been unusually erratic, with a reversal of typical snowfall patterns, leading to record-breaking snow in January and impacting daily life significantly.

A major winter storm brought snow changing to rain and freezing rain across Southcentral Alaska, creating dangerous glare ice, power outages, school closures, and road shutdowns for avalanche mitigation. High winds and localized flooding were also reported, including near Valdez and in Seward.

Unseasonably warm temperatures in southern Yukon brought snow, rain, and ice that closed sections of major highways and created hazardous travel, including a school bus sliding into a ditch near Whitehorse.

An “atmospheric river” brought more than 1.5 inches of rain onto a recent snowpack in Kodiak, creating deep roadway flooding/ponding, very icy conditions, and prompting closures and canceled meetings as crews worked to keep drains clear.

Reindeer herders in Karasjok, Finnmark report a severe winter grazing crisis as thaw conditions followed by extreme cold have iced over pastures, scattering herds and making feeding difficult. Authorities say climate change is increasing the frequency of winters with “locked” (iced) grazing areas, and inspections are ongoing.

The Flood Advisory has ended and Thane Road has reopened, though closures are still possible.

Unusually mild, rainy weather in Nuuk melted much of the city’s snow into slush, leaving large puddles and standing water because ditches and culverts were clogged with snow and ice. The municipality and transport companies worked to flush drains and pump away water from low-lying areas and parking lots.

Southern British Columbia saw record warm temperatures, heavy rain, powerful winds up to 119 km/h, and significant snowfall on the Coquihalla between Dec. 16–17, 2025. Environment Canada reported multiple daily high-temperature records in the Interior, 50–70 mm of rain on the South Coast, and 43 mm of snow on Highway 5.

Norway faces widespread yellow alerts for strong winds and icy roads after a sudden thaw, with the worst conditions in Lofoten, Vesterålen and Finnmark. Bus, ferry, fast boat and some flight services are disrupted; schools closed in parts of Nordland.

Freezing rain and slick runways halted flights at Bodø Airport, stranding 150–200 passengers overnight and disrupting air and ferry traffic across Nordland. Operations resumed around midday but with intermittent closures expected as conditions remain icy.

Dawson City's annual ice bridge on the Yukon River was closed early due to warm temperatures and rain creating unsafe conditions for travelers.

The central Norwegian region of Trøndelag is known for its inclement weather; per an ongoing tourism campaign, while “the food is iconic,” the weather is “chronic.” But the past week in Trondheim has been special even by local standards, and not in a good way. The city, according to Norwegian media, has to reach back more than a century to find a wetter five-day stretch than the one it just experienced, with 4.5 inches of precipitation.

Unusual weather conditions, including warming temperatures and increased rainfall, forced multiple Southcentral Alaska ski areas to close, while others faced high winds and heavy snow, highlighting a challenging winter for ski operations and backcountry travel.

Warm temperatures and rain have created hazardous road conditions in Fairbanks, leading to collisions and travel disruptions.

Nome experienced an unusual snowless Christmas despite not having a dry December, with rain replacing snow and creating icy conditions that hinder traditional winter activities and local events.

December in Kodiak was the second rainiest on record, with 14.73 inches of rain, driven by a weather pattern similar to December 1985. Only three days were without measurable precipitation, and the month was notably warmer, with rain continuing into January.

In Fredrikstad, a change in weather led to treacherous conditions for pedestrians, resulting in dozens of falls due to supercooled rain creating extremely slippery surfaces. Hospitals have reported a surge in related injuries.

Unusually warm weather in early December 2024 has led to rain in Anchorage, Alaska, marking the most December rainfall since 2018, driven by a warm air surge from the eastern Pacific.

Alaska is experiencing an unusual warm-up with a Pacific low bringing heavy rain, freezing rain, and snow. Southeast Alaska reports significant precipitation and above-normal temperatures.