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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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Hotel guide on snowmobile breaks through ice on the Kalix River near Överkalix
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.
Överkalix, Norrbotten County, Sweden
NSD (Norrländska Socialdemokraten)

Ski festival without snow?
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.
Sisimiut, Qeqqata, Greenland
Sermitsiaq.ag

Slippery-ice chaos creates queues at the Skellefteå emergency department: “Casting non‑stop”
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.
Skellefteå, Västerbotten County, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Ice conditions are extremely weak in Rovaniemi
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.
Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Ice crossings on Peel and Mackenzie Rivers affected by above-average fall temperatures
Above-average fall temperatures in the Northwest Territories have delayed ice crossings on the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers, with officials warning this may become more common. The Peel River crossing opened later than average for light vehicles, while the Mackenzie River crossing at Tsiigehtchic remains closed.
Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Ice glaze: Severe weather shuts down Bodø Airport
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.
Bodø, Nordland, Norway
NRK
Katrine Olsen Sørgård; Marie Staberg; Thomas Fredrik Kristensen

West Dawson residents hunkering and hoping for Yukon River to freeze
With the ferry pulled for the season, West Dawson residents are waiting weeks for the Yukon River to freeze so they can cross, as unusually warm weather keeps water open. The delay disrupts access, raises safety concerns, and highlights increasingly unpredictable freeze-up.
Dawson City, Yukon, Canada
CBC News

Where is the snow? Unusually mild November in Nuuk
Nuuk has had such a mild November that early snow melted, with an average temperature of +1.9°C so far versus the normal -3.3°C, according to DMI. Colder weather with snow and frost is expected next week.
Nuuk, Sermersooq, Greenland
Sermitsiaq

Food deliveries to Khatanga delayed due to abnormal weather
Prolonged late freeze-up has disrupted delivery of essential foods to settlements near Khatanga. Authorities used a hovercraft to deliver supplies to Novaya and Zhdanikha, while shops are extending credit and resident debts are rising.
Khatanga, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Taimyr Telegraph

Heavy snowfall creates problems in Tromsø: No place to put the snow
After a weekend of heavy snowfall, Tromsø’s snow depots are full and city crews are hauling snow to the sea. To ease plowing, the city is changing parking rules to a 24/7 ban on certain center streets.
Tromsø, Troms, Norway
NRK
Tora Jarnæs Vold; Kari Anne Skoglund; Håkon Iversen

Ice in the Yenisei Gulf formed a 'dragon-scale' pattern
Strong winds and freezing temperatures in the Yenisei Gulf of the Kara Sea created overlapping, scale-like sea-ice patterns known locally as 'dragon scales.' Photos were shared by the first mate of the nuclear icebreaker Ural.
Yenisei Gulf, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Taymyr Telegraph

100 reindeer went through the ice – at least 20 died
Around one hundred reindeer broke through thin ice at Mierojávri, north of Kautokeino; at least 20 drowned. Rescuers had to abort because the ice was too thin to walk on and too thick to use their boat.
Kautokeino, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
NRK

One man is dead, another missing after falling through thin ice near Kotzebue
Two men fell through thin ice near Kotzebue, resulting in one death and one missing person, prompting warnings from local authorities about unsafe ice conditions.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
KOTZ

20°C below zero: Likely the coldest ever on this date
Iceland experienced intense cold overnight, with -19.8°C recorded at Sandskeið around 6 a.m., and meteorologist Einar Sveinbjörnsson says it is likely the coldest 30 October on record. Reykjavík dropped to just over -8°C, and an Icelandic Met Office table showed -20.2°C at Setur south of Hofsjökull overnight.
Sandskeið, Southern Region, Iceland
mbl.is

Severe ice conditions complicate navigation in the Anadyr estuary
Thick, continuous ice up to 30–40 cm hindered docking of the cargo ship FESCO Moneron at the Port of Anadyr, with successful mooring only on a second attempt. Ice navigation has been declared since October 18, restricting entry to vessels of at least Ice 2 class.
Anadyr, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
IA Chukotka

Greatest snow depth measured in Reykjavík in October
Reykjavík recorded 27 cm of snow at 9:00 on October 28, likely the deepest October snow on record, surpassing the previous 15 cm set in 1921. Heavy snowfall and poor visibility were forecast on the Suðurnes/Reykjanesbraut corridor with 50–75 mm precipitation expected.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
Vísir

Steinar had enough: This year there’s no hope of winter
Late October in Hammerfest and surrounding Finnmark communities remains snowless, with locals saying it’s easier to find lingonberries than ski tracks. The article highlights unusually delayed winter conditions compared to last year.
Hammerfest, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

An extended fall reveals the existence of hair ice in Interior Alaska
Photos from Fairbanks show delicate “hair ice” forming on dead wood during an extended snow-free cold spell. Researchers link the phenomenon to the fungus Exidiopsis effusa, which enables hairlike ice strands to grow in humid, slightly subfreezing conditions.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

“I didn’t hear the usual grinding of ice”
A Norwegian research vessel reached the North Pole and found extensive open water and thin sea ice, allowing unusually easy navigation compared to 30 years ago. Scientists warn the rapid loss of Arctic sea ice is unprecedented and threatens polar bear habitat.
North Pole, Arctic Ocean, International Waters
The Barents Observer

Massive Iceberg Spotted Near Iceland Triggers Shipping Warning
A huge iceberg—about 300 m long, 300 m wide and 75 m high—was spotted in a key shipping route north of Iceland, prompting a warning to mariners. The Icelandic Coast Guard located it roughly 42 nautical miles north of Hornbjarg during an aerial patrol.
Hornbjarg, Westfjords, Iceland
Iceland Review

Esja snow-free and unusually early
The snow patch at Gunnlaugsskarð in Esja melted out by early August 2025, marking one of the earliest disappearances on record, previously only in July of 1941 and 2010.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
Vísir

Emergency services warn of iceberg near the harbour
Avannaata emergency services warn residents in Innaarsuit to avoid gathering near the harbour shop due to risk of iceberg calving triggering large waves.
Innaarsuit, Avannaata, Greenland
Sermitsiaq

For the fourth year in a row conditions unfavorable for Snow Geese
Spring is late again this year. The tundra remains under snow cover, and the territory suitable for nesting is critically limited," says Vasily Baranyuk, an ornithologist with many years of experience, using satellite communication from the Tundra Peak field cordon.
Остров Врангеля, Иультинский район, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Social and political newspaper of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

Kuskokwim ice jam brings flood advisory for Kalskag and Aniak
A large ice run jammed on the Kuskokwim River below Aniak on May 1, prompting flood advisories for Aniak and Kalskag, though relief channels kept water below flood levels.
Aniak and Kalskag, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Snow shortage in the mountains – guests get refunds from Skistar at three resorts
Faced with unusually mild conditions and a snow-poor season, Skistar has activated its snow guarantee, offering full refunds for bookings at Sälen, Trysil, and Vemdalen ski resorts this week.
Sälen, Dalarna, Sweden; Trysil, Innlandet, Norway; Vemdalen, Jämtland, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Wekweeti, Dettah ice roads now closed
Several seasonal ice roads in the Northwest Territories, including the Wekweeti and Dettah routes, have closed earlier than their long‐term averages, with additional roads on short notice closures due to warming temperatures.
Wekweeti, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Warm weather, rain force early closure of Dawson City's ice bridge
Dawson City's annual ice bridge on the Yukon River was closed early due to warm temperatures and rain creating unsafe conditions for travelers.
Dawson City, Yukon, Canada
CBC News

Luleå municipality closes the ice rink for the season
Luleå kommun has closed its ice rink for the season after observing a rapid melt that reduced the ice thickness by 15 centimeters over two days, raising serious safety concerns.
Luleå, Norrbotten, Sweden
Kuriren

Snow’s notable absence and welcome (and sometimes weird) presence
UAF Geophysical Institute space physicist Peter Delamere recently rode his fat-tire bike over frozen vegetation south of the Alaska Range until his tires finally bit snow a bit farther north.
Knik, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Snowstorm Slams Far East’s Kamchatka, Grounding Flights and Stranding Motorists
A powerful snowstorm battered Russia’s Far East Kamchatka Peninsula, grounding flights, stranding motorists, and triggering avalanche warnings in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
The Moscow Times

Pilot rescued with 2 girls from icy Kenai Peninsula lake was not authorized to have passengers, official says
It appeared that the plane had landed near a glacier on the partially frozen lake, broke through the ice as it rolled to a stop and then began to sink. It wasn’t known if the pilot landed intentionally on the lake thinking the ice was more solid than it was, or whether a mechanical issue forced the plane down.
Tustemena Lake, Alaska
Anchorage Daily News

16-year-old killed in Turnagain Pass avalanche
A 16-year-old snowmachiner from Soldotna was killed in an avalanche at Turnagain Pass, Alaska, highlighting the ongoing danger in the area due to unstable snowpack conditions.
Turnagain Pass, Alaska, United States
KTUU

Warm Temperatures Bring Ice Melt and Flooding to Russia’s Chelyabinsk Region
Unseasonably warm weather triggered ice breakups and subsequent flooding in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region, prompting emergency evacuations and road closures as rising water levels affected multiple rivers.
Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
The Moscow Times

Lack of Snow Prompts Early Start to Official Fire Season in Alaska's Southern Regions
Alaska state officials have advanced the start of the official fire season to March 17 in Southcentral, Southeast, and Western Alaska due to unusually low snowpack and warmer temperatures. The change aims to mitigate increased wildfire risks in these populated regions.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Orange warning for storm force in the mountains – dangerous avalanche situation in several places in the mountains
SMHI has upgraded the warning for storms in the northernmost mountains to an orange warning for strong winds and snow on the bare mountains, from Tuesday morning. Several places are also warned of dangerous conditions and a high risk of avalanches has been issued in the Abisko-Kebnekaise area.
Norrbottensfjällen Mountains
SVT Nyheter

Low Snow and Exposed Ice
There is unusually low snow coverage and exposed ice on the North Slope. The tundra lakes are more visible and sea ice is lower than normal.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Classic Skiing Competition 7-mila Cancelled Due to Lack of Snow
The classic long-distance ski race 7-mila has been cancelled due to a lack of snow for the first time since 2014, affecting over 130 registered participants and causing financial concerns for the organizers.
Robertsfors, Västerbotten, Sweden

2 workers remain missing after ATV carrying 5 breaks through river ice in Mat-Su
Two people were swept under the ice on the Big Susitna River on Thursday morning while three others were able to reach safety, Alaska State Troopers said.
Sutton-Alpine, Alaska, United States

‘I’m really looking forward to being inside’: An oral and visual history of Trondheim’s wettest weather in a century
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.
Trondheim, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway
Fasterskier

Iditarod 53: Mushers, dogs regroup in Tanana after 'sandstorm' flings silt near river
During Iditarod 53, mushers and their sled dogs battled high winds that whipped up a sandstorm near the Tanana River, forcing teams to pause and regroup. The unexpected conditions challenged visibility and navigation, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the race.
Tanana, Alaska, United States
KTUU

‘Prepared to be adaptable’: Mushers leave Fairbanks to officially launch a historic 53rd Iditarod
The Iditarod Trail Committee announced that poor snow conditions made the traditional southern route untenable, forcing organizers to move the start nearly 300 miles north, from Willow to Fairbanks. The novel 1,128-mile route passes through Interior Alaska with a loop on the Yukon River. “We are all rookies,” Big Lake musher Nicolas Petit joked.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Anchorage snowpack officially drops to zero, rare for early March
The National Weather Service says the city has had no snow at this point in the season only twice before. On average, that doesn’t usually happen until halfway through April. Last year, which turned out to be the second snowiest on record, more than 2 feet blanketed the ground on March 3.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Significant flooding impacts areas around the Inland Northwest after weekend snowmelt
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.
Spokane, Washington, United States
Spokesman.com

2025 Fur Rondy kicks off amid low snow winter
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, Alaska, United States

Fur Rendezvous is here, but the snow is a no-show
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.
KTUU

Anchorage’s scarcity of new snow since December sets dismal record
Anchorage has experienced its lowest snowfall from December to mid-February since records began in 1953, with only 4.3 inches, leading to significant changes in winter events like the Iditarod and Fur Rondy due to unseasonably warm, windy weather.

Ice unexpectedly departs from Nome's shore
On February 10-11, 2025, unusually mild weather in Nome led to shorefast ice breaking free from the coastline, leaving deep blue water visible where ice had long persisted.
Nome, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

In shocking first, sea ice breaks off in mid-February
In February 2025, unexpectedly weak sea ice broke off near Nome, Alaska, marking the first recorded early detachment of shorefast ice. Local subsistence hunters and climate specialists warn the event could disrupt the regional ecosystem and traditional hunting practices.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Poor snow cover cancels Ski for Women
Due to a diminished snowpack on the central Kenai Peninsula, the Ski for Women event at Tsalteshi Trails near Soldotna, Alaska has been canceled, though organizers remain hopeful about the upcoming Tour of Tsalteshi.
Soldotna, Alaska, United States
Peninsula Clarion

‘He could have died’: Pro snowboarder left frustrated with rescue process after avalanche swept friend away
A professional snowboarder criticized the prolonged five‐hour rescue effort after an avalanche swept a backcountry skier down a mountain, cautioning that every minute matters in life‐or‐death situations.
KTVA

Beaufort Sea ice cuts fiber-optic cable, limiting internet for about 20,000 residents of Northwest Alaska through summer
Shifting sea ice patterns resulting from climate change are imperiling the subsea cable in ways the company did not plan for.The subsea cable is owned by Quintillion but affects companies delivering internet access to residents, schools and local governments.
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, United States

Car plunges through thin sea ice as driver was headed to fish
A driver lost direction in foggy conditions and accidentally drove onto thin sea ice near Vaasa, Finland, but escaped unharmed. Sea ice conditions have been particularly difficult this winter, due to alternating periods of severe cold and milder temperatures which have made the ice weak and unpredictable.
Vaasa, Ostrobothnia, Finland
Yle News

Person Missing After Vehicle Breaks Through Ice on Yukon's Lake Laberge
A person is missing after a vehicle fell through the ice on Lake Laberge in Yukon. Two others managed to escape.
Lake Laberge, Yukon, Canada

Multiple Southcentral ski areas closed over the weekend citing weather
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.
Palmer, Alaska, United States

Rain leads to hazardous road conditions across Fairbanks
Warm temperatures and rain have created hazardous road conditions in Fairbanks, leading to collisions and travel disruptions.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Warm winter weather wears down Interior Alaska
Warm winter weather and rain in Alaska triggered avalanches and hazardous roads, with the Parks Highway being closed due to avalanche debris near Cantwell.
Cantwell, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Low snowpack, heavy precipitation for Y-K Delta so far this year
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is experiencing unusually low snowpack and heavy rainfall, with temperatures significantly above normal for January, raising concerns about potential impacts such as increased wildfire risk and infrastructure challenges.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Hatcher Pass Road closed at mile 14 due to high avalanche danger
Hatcher Pass Road is closed at mile 14 due to high avalanche danger from heavy wet snow, with closures expected to last into the weekend, affecting snowmachining trails and Hatcher Pass Lodge.
Hatcher Pass, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

The Iditarod is evaluating alternate race routes because of poor trail conditions
Organizers say they will determine by Feb. 3 whether it’s feasible to run the traditional southern route.
Nome, Alaska, United States

Kuskokwim 300 delayed 2 weeks due to low snow and warm temperatures
The 2025 Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race has been delayed by two weeks due to unusually low snowfall and warm temperatures, making it difficult to ensure safe trail conditions. This extended delay is rare in the race's 46-year history, typically only postponed for a day or two.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Bridge Collapses in Borgarfjörður Due to Flooding
A temporary bridge in Borgarfjörður, Iceland, collapsed after an ice jam in the Hvítá River caused significant flooding.
Borgarfjörður, West Iceland, Iceland
Iceland Review

Luleå: A Sheet of Ice – Bus Driver Mats: 'Freshly Polished Hockey Rink'
Unusually rapid warming and sleet in Lule, Sweden, created extremely icy conditions, leading to the suspension of bus services and a yellow warning for sudden ice, as temperatures rose from -12 to -1 degrees Celsius.
Luleå, Norrbotten, Sweden

Anchor River floods again
The Anchor River in Alaska has flooded again due to an ice dam, marking the worst flooding in recent history and prompting road closures and infrastructure concerns. This is the second such incident in a month, highlighting an unusual increase in flooding events this year.
Anchor Point, Alaska, United States
Peninsula Clarion

Slippery Monday Across Much of the Country
A sudden change in weather has resulted in challenging driving conditions across Norway, with red warnings issued for parts of the country due to the risk of avalanches and other hazards.
Norway

Warm Weather Leads to Wet and Slippery Conditions Across Iceland
Unseasonably warm weather in Iceland is causing melting snow and thawing ice, leading to wet and slippery conditions, with yellow weather warnings issued for parts of the country.
Iceland
Iceland Review

No white Christmas for Nome and the region
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.
The Nome Nugget

Removing Ice with Hammers Outside Laxå to Allow Trains to Run Again
Train services between Stockholm and Gothenburg are disrupted due to ice on the contact wires in Laxå. Workers are manually removing ice, which is causing extended delays.
Laxå, Örebro, Sweden

Extremely Low Extent of Sea Ice
The article reports extremely low sea ice measurements in the Arctic for January, with notable figures from both the Arctic and Southern Hemisphere.
Svalbard, Arctic, Norway
High North News

Anchorage's low-snow December makes for idle plows and happy skaters
Anchorage experienced an unusually low-snow December in 2024, with only 1.9 inches recorded, contrasting sharply with the heavy snowfall of the previous year and creating ideal conditions for ice skating but challenging ones for skiing.

Strong winds, ice cause power outage in Umiujaq
A severe weather event featuring strong winds and ice accumulation caused a power outage for 73 customers in Umiujaq, Quebec on December 30, 2024. The remote community relies on Hydro-Québec's off-grid system, and while power was restored by December 31, the airport terminal remains reliant on a backup generator.
Umiujaq, Quebec, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Self-sustaining soil cavity hole
A small soil cavity in the UAF North Campus boreal forest remains open all winter, maintaining a steady temperature and emitting high CO2 levels, which is unusual for its self-sustaining nature and potential implications for permafrost research.
Vladimir Romanovsky, Leanne Bulger, Anna Liljedahl , Alexander Kholodov

Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, without power most of Christmas Day
Rankin Inlet in Nunavut experienced a power outage on Christmas Day due to snow and freezing rain causing ice accumulation on power lines, disrupting local services.
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada

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