Background Articles

Gardening columnist Jeff Lowenfels explains how trees are built to survive extreme high winds.

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.

The article recounts the extraordinary 1925 dog sled relay that delivered diphtheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska, amid a severe epidemic, highlighting the centennial of this historic event and the heroic efforts of mushers and their dogs who braved harsh conditions to save lives.

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

A storm in Southcentral Alaska recorded peak wind gusts reaching up to 110 mph, causing power outages in Anchorage and the Mat-Su area.

A severe storm hit Anchorage and Mat-Su, causing power outages for thousands due to high winds and rain. Gusts exceeded 100 mph in higher elevations, with significant impacts across the region.

A part of a pedestrian bridge collapsed onto the Seward Highway in Anchorage due to high winds, blocking the highway temporarily, though the bridge's main structure remained intact. No injuries were reported.

A severe windstorm with gusts nearing 75 mph tore off the roof of a home in Anchorage, Alaska, captured on security footage.

An unusually warm January storm with record warmth and hurricane-force winds left Anchorage residents facing extended power outages for four days.

A powerful wind and rain storm in Southcentral Alaska caused widespread power outages and closures, affecting thousands in the Anchorage area.

Despite the fourth snowiest October on record, roughly half of precipitation in Anchorage has been rain this winter.

Alaska is experiencing an unusually low snowfall this winter, discussed by Rick Thoman, an Alaska Climate Specialist, who highlights broader climate trends such as warming and increased precipitation.

A severe winter storm battered Newfoundland and Labrador, leaving thousands without power and causing significant damage along the coastline.

The 2024 Arctic Report Card highlights the unusual shift of the Arctic tundra from a carbon sink to a carbon source and reports significant declines in large migratory caribou herds, attributed to climate change impacts like increased winter precipitation and warmer summers.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute reported that 2024 was an exceptionally warm year in Finland, with the average temperature notably above normal, particularly in Northern Lapland.

Despite a dry December, Alaska experienced an unusually wet year, with higher-than-normal precipitation mainly occurring in the summer months, according to climatologist Brian Brettschneider.

A 65-year-old woman in South Surrey was tragically killed by a falling tree during a severe windstorm.

In Nuuk, a large construction crane has collapsed due to a storm, with no reported injuries.

A severe windstorm in Anchorage on Monday night caused widespread damage, including downed trees and power outages, as residents began cleanup efforts the following day.

Alaska is experiencing rapid environmental changes, including record-high temperatures, shrinking sea ice, increased wildfires, and unusual wildlife patterns, such as the decline of salmon and the rise of snow goose populations.