Environmental reporter Christopher Dunagan discusses the challenges of protecting Puget Sound and all things water-related. Weather extremes now surpassing the realm of natural possibilities

Unusually warm temperatures for an extended period this winter has affected the ability to travel because the river isn't freezing over.

"Our roads are slippery when there would be snow to where the children were out with their sled. Planes never cancelled as much as this year to where the flights were backed up to 3 or 4 days. Lately, we've been seeing grasses regrowing after it warms up out there."

Though snow is scant in Anchorage, organizers are confident they will be able to host the Jan. 3-8 race series.

This November in Utqiaġvik was the hottest on record, averaging 17.2°F. It was so warm that NOAA's quality control algorithms flagged the data. “When we look out on the ocean right now we see a few icebergs,” Thomas said. “Normally we would see white to the horizon in the past, and in this case we’re seeing dark water to the horizon.”

Seven months after flooding damage to a rail link cut off land access from southern Canada to Churchill. Manitoba — Canada's only deepwater Arctic port — government and business officials are still trying to find a permanent solution.

A new precipitation system is approaching Finland from the south-west, bringing wet, heavy snow or sleet to southern and some central areas of the country, possibly causing headaches for commuters on Friday morning.

Mild, wet weather has raised water levels in rivers and lakes around the country.

Golden Valley Electric Association crews are still working to repair damage to power lines caused by warm chinook winds that blasted the Interior over the weekend, especially around Delta Junction.

After some bracing winter weather in November, the city has seen an unusually mild start to this month, with temperatures soaring well above the freezing point, and even some rain.

The Yukon Department of Highways has also put a travel advisory on the Alaska Highway south through Teslin and Swift River, again because of slippery conditions. There is black ice on the North Klondike Highway from Whitehorse to Deep Creek, leading to a travel advisory on that stretch of road as well.

Anchorage sidewalks were slick with ice and the roads were full of puddles because of unseasonably high temperatures.By mid morning the temperature had reached 46 degrees.

Big and fluffy snowflakes fell across parts of south Texas on Thursday, including San Antonio and Austin.

There has never been more use of hot water in the capital area in November than this year. The temperature that month was measured as quite cold according to the Icelandic Met Office, explaining the need for more hot water.

Crews are working to clear snow off of the Richardson Highway near Valdez, after excessive snow has not relented, and an avalanche has poured over the isolated highway stretch.

The ice highway that residents are used to driving this time of year has yet to fully freeze. Bethel Search and Rescue calls the number of open holes on

Rapid weather change, with snowfall.

Residents say mild weather makes toughing out the rain worthwhile

School out for Roxburgh pupils as third day of thunderstorms looms.

Red coral observed near Port Heiden along the Bering Sea coast.