The Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer

Fire and Ice The cold weather continues across Northern Europe and North America, bringing wind chill warnings, frozen pipes and power outages. LEO Network member Wilson Justin reported that finally the night time temperatures were reaching -28 Celsius, cold enough for the Chistochina River to freeze. Other cold spots included Braemar, Scotland where they recorded the coldest temperatures since 1955. The cold brought blizzards to the east of Scotland, burying cars and blocking roads. In the Western Isles, however, there was no snow, and cold temperatures contributed to tinder dry vegetation. On February 11th, wildfires were reported on the island of Benbecula, keeping fire fighters busy in several communities. One weather anomaly this week was in eastern and southern Iceland, where drenching rain brought flooding and landslides. Across the circumpolar north the weather was capturing headlines, surprising many and reminding all what the harshest winters can look like. Mike Brubaker, Editor

	Wildfire warning as firefighters tackle blazes in Western Isles Benbecula, Scotland, United Kingdom BBC News / February 11, 2021 Firefighters extinguished fires on Benbecula and Harris as they warn of extreme risk. SFRS said the fires had broken out in vegetation that had died off since last year and then been dried out by frost and low temperatures. Read article on BBC News
	Temperature of -23C in Braemar is UK's lowest in 25 years Braemar BBC News / February 11, 2021 Icicles covered businesses in the village of Braemar. The Met Office says Braemar in Aberdeenshire recorded the coldest night since December 1995. Read article on BBC News
	Cars buried overnight in huge snow drifts near Buckie Buckie, Scotland, United Kingdom BBC News / February 14, 2021 Vehicles were trapped as gale-force winds carried mud-coloured waves of snow onto the A98 near Buckie. Snow ploughs were used to try and clear the stretch, close to its junction with the B9016, but were unable to make it through and the road remains closed. Read article on BBC News
	Groundwater levels bounce back after more rain and snow Sweden Lisen Elowson Tosting / Radio Sweden / February 15, 2021 More rain and a blanket of snow in recent months has helped Sweden's groundwater levels recover significantly after dropping in several parts of the country. Read article on Radio Sweden
	December temperatures finally arrive in February Chistochina, Alaska, United States Wilson Justin / LEO Network / February 2, 2021 "The Chistochina River froze over and went to overflow by the second of February which means we went through the New Year and January with the river running open. First time that I know of." Read post on the LEO Network
	Weather worries in south and east Seyðisfjörður, East, Iceland Alexander Elliott / RÚV / February 15, 2021 Very heavy rain has affected South and East Iceland throughout Sunday and overnight. An area of Seyðisfjörður has been evacuated and road closures were announced in three places due to an avalanche, an ice flood, and a downed power line. Read article on RÚV
	Blue Russian Dogs Spotted Near Abandoned Factory Dzerzhinsk, Nizjnij Novgorod, Russia The Moscow Times / The Moscow Times / February 12, 2021 A pack of stray blue dogs, likely covered in chemical waste, was spotted on the road near the Russian town of Dzerzhinsk. The dogs may have been exposed to chemicals at a nearby abandoned factory that produced plexiglass and hydrocyanic acid, giving their fur the eye-catching blue color. Read article on The Moscow Times
	Lynx spotted in downtown Yellowknife Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada Craig Gilbert / NNSL MEDIA / February 15, 2021 A “not very shy” lynx attracted some attention in Yellowknife Monday. Daniel Bourke saw it near Avens seniors complex where staff called ENR. Read article on NNSL MEDIA

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.

Please forward this newsletter or share it on social media. Join the LEO Network to share your own stories of environmental change.

You may subscribe or unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking here.

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.

Explore Posts

Submit a Post

Directory

About

My LEO

The NorthernClimate Observer

Northern Climate Observer

The Northern
Climate Observer