Background Articles

Storm damage has left multiple trees blocking paths in Cullaird Wood on the outskirts of Inverness, obstructing a key section of the South Loch Ness Trail. Highland Council says it is seeking an arrangement with the landowner’s agents to clear the routes after recent storms Floris and Amy.

Heavy snowfall on Southwest Iceland has led the Icelandic Meteorological Office to raise the regional avalanche forecast to orange (considerable). People in the Reykjavík area are urged to avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees, especially SW-facing slopes where wind slabs may form.

This summer, Alaska experienced an unprecedented heat advisory in Juneau and Fairbanks, marking a significant and unusual shift in its typically cold climate.

Large numbers of post‑spawning pink salmon are rotting along the Alta River in Finnmark, causing strong odors and anger among anglers. Critics say the river lacked an effective trap in 2025, while managers and authorities cite technical challenges and are using netting and clean‑ups as interim measures.

Tick populations are surging in the United States. Binghamton University experts offer tips to avoid tick bites. -

State fire crews began a 35-acre prescribed burn on Anchorage’s Hillside May 12 between Hilltop Ski Area and the Prospect Heights Trailhead, expecting visible smoke and temporary trail closures.

An expert warns that early snowmelt and increasing ski tourism in vulnerable high‑altitude calving areas on Hardangervidda and Nordfjella are disturbing Norway’s wild reindeer during their critical breeding season.

Ned Rozell’s article explores the vast, geologically intriguing Minto Flats near the village of Minto in Alaska, detailing its unusual gravitational characteristics, seismic history, and significance as a prime waterfowl habitat.

A recent report highlights the unprecedented low snowfall during the 2024-2025 winter in Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska, affecting not only the weather but also events like the Iditarod race.

Rainy sloppy conditions in Trondheim underscored the importance of the climate work. But the warm wet weather barely dampened the enthusiasm of the Norwegian crowd.

Despite the decline of sled dog racing elsewhere, the Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska is experiencing a resurgence, with increased sponsorships, substantial prize money, and strong community support sustaining the sport amid challenging climate conditions.

A series of heavy snowfall events and enduring sub-freezing temperatures have brought back the charm of a traditional Maine winter, delighting snow sports enthusiasts and winter festival organizers.

The article explores how climate change has influenced sled dog genetics, leading to a shift from traditional, thick-coated breeds to leaner, faster dogs better suited for warmer conditions, impacting the tradition of dog mushing in Alaska.

“It’s out of the ordinary but nothing that’s unprecedented,” according to Arctic Valley Ski Area general manager John Robinson-Wilson.

The Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race has been postponed by two weeks due to low snowfall and above-freezing temperatures in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.