The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer

Winds of Change: The new year dawned with beauty as Northerners looked up into the sky and witnessed a truly amazing display of Aurora Borealis. The wonder was shared across the North and taken as a gift and sign of hope for the year ahead. Unseen were gathering clouds, and days of extreme weather and disruption that was soon to come. Warm ocean temperatures spawned huge spinning storms, that lined up like waves to crash on the shore. Here in Southcentral Alaska, Our biggest storm came on January 12th, bringing warm air, extreme rains, remarkable wind gusts and destruction. The Anchorage Daily News reported winds of 111 mph (178 kph).The winds brought down a bridge across the Seward Highway, hundreds of trees, and caused widespread power outages. By the 14th it had passed, but other storms followed.Throughout much of January the unusually steady and strong winds persisted, day after day. It is a signal of change for Alaska, and it raises questions about the vulnerability of our forests, our power systems and infrastructure in an era where the winds are increasing, the storms are more frequent, and the temperature swings more extreme. You can see the map here including all of the posts to LEO Network, translated, mapped, categorized, and with analysis. See also stories about winds in Norton Sound, Chukotka, and the Yukon Territory. Winter is not over yet. Hold onto your hat. M. Brubaker Editor

	High winds, temps cause outages, flooding in Southcentral Alaska Anchorage, Alaska, United States Alaska Public Media / January 12, 2025 Unusually high winds and temperatures in Southcentral Alaska have caused power outages, flooding, and landslides, with gusts reaching up to 100 mph and prompting closures and warnings across the region. Read article on Alaska Public Media
	The roofs of three apartment buildings were partially torn off by a storm in the Chukotka village of Lorino Lorino, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia Prochukotku.ru / January 8, 2025 A severe storm in Lorino, Russia, partially tore roofs off three apartment buildings, highlighting unusual weather patterns in the region. Read article on Prochukotku.ru
	Avalanche control closes Yukon highway and advisory issued for blizzard conditions Yukon, Canada Jake Howarth / Yukon News / January 24, 2025 The South Klondike Highway in Yukon is closed for avalanche control due to a deeply buried weak layer causing large avalanches, while blizzard conditions with near-zero visibility are expected on the Dempster Highway, affecting travel and safety in the region. Read article on Yukon News
	Kuskokwim 300 delayed 2 weeks due to low snow and warm temperatures Bethel, Alaska, United States Alaska Public Media / January 16, 2025 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. Read article on Alaska Public Media
	More than 50 Floods Occurred Today Faroe Islands Jonhard Hammer / Dimma.fo / January 12, 2025 Unusually high precipitation in the Faroe Islands has led to over 50 flood incidents, severely impacting Kalsoy, Eysturoy, and Streymoy, and causing significant travel disruptions due to road flooding and expected wind gusts. Read article on Dimma.fo
	Extremely Low Extent of Sea Ice Svalbard, Arctic, Norway High North News / January 1, 2025 The article reports extremely low sea ice measurements in the Arctic for January, with notable figures from both the Arctic and Southern Hemisphere. Read article on High North News
	Car plunges through thin sea ice as driver was headed to fish Vaasa, Ostrobothnia, Finland Yle News / January 27, 2025 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. Read article on Yle News
	Residents in Ölfus Trapped Due to Flooding in Ölfusá River Ölfusi, Iceland Vísir / January 16, 2025 A flood in the Ölfusá river has left parts of Ölfusi submerged, trapping some residents in their homes. Read article on Vísir

The Northern Climate Observer is published by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news coverage from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events. Thank you for reading our newsletter and for paying attention to our changing world.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern Climate Observer is published weekly by the Center for Climate and Health. We track news from across the circumpolar north and provide readers with a curated roundup of climate change related events.

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Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer