An avalanche in the backcountry near Nuuk, Greenland, killed a 17-year-old man and injured two others. A search-and-rescue operation involving Greenland Police, Arctic Command, Nuuk fire services, SAR Qamutit and a helicopter was launched.
On 11 April 2016 we observed high slushflow and wet snow avalanche activity at the environmental monitoring station Kobbefjord in West Greenland.
DMI reports that January 2026 was the warmest January ever measured in Nuuk and across Greenland’s west coast, with Nuuk averaging 0.1°C—7.8°C above the 1991–2020 normal—and a peak of 11.3°C. Similar monthly temperature records were set in other towns, including Ilulissat, contributing to snow shortages and disruptions such as the Nuuk ski lift being idle.
Unusually mild, rainy weather in Nuuk melted much of the city’s snow into slush, leaving large puddles and standing water because ditches and culverts were clogged with snow and ice. The municipality and transport companies worked to flush drains and pump away water from low-lying areas and parking lots.
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.
Observations From Members 