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.

Comment from Gemini:

This avalanche incident on the Parks Highway near Cantwell adds to a growing list of avalanche-related events across Alaska this winter, as highlighted by the linked reports. The related posts detail similar closures and hazardous conditions due to avalanches and heavy snow in Hatcher Pass, also caused by unusually warm and wet weather. These events, coupled with the earlier reports of hazardous road conditions in Fairbanks due to rain and ice, paint a picture of widespread impacts from this unusual weather pattern. The December 2025 report about wetter-than-normal conditions for the year in Alaska provides important context, suggesting this trend may be contributing to the current avalanche risks. The January 12th report of high winds, outages, and flooding in Southcentral Alaska further underscores the volatile weather conditions across the state this winter.

The current situation echoes a broader North American trend of increased avalanche activity, often linked to extreme weather fluctuations. For instance, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) regularly reports on avalanche conditions and incidents, providing insights into the factors contributing to these events. https://avtraining.org/online-courses-2/ While the DOT spokesperson states this event isn't comparable to previous "icemaggedon" events, the combination of heavy snow, rain, and fluctuating temperatures creating unstable snowpack conditions warrants continued caution and highlights the importance of monitoring Alaska 511 for updates.