Anchorage adds to record homeless death total as major winter storm drops more than 2 feet of snow

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I spoke too soon. This latest storm was responsible for two more deaths. Which brings the total to 51 people who have died from exposure in Alaska in 2023, with a total of 13 of those deaths occurring during the Winter. Seven between January and April of 2023, and six more since November of 2023. The remaining 38 people who died in Alaska from exposure during 2023 did so between the months of May and October.

The two were found this morning 41 miles north of Nome. Temperatures had dropped to -20°F (-28.8°C) last night, and apparently their snow machine malfunctioned.

Missing Nome snowmachiners found dead, troopers say

Charlene Habros and Dustin Gologergen left the Western Alaska village of Teller on Sunday headed for Nome, but they encountered what locals described as white-out conditions.

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The 9" of snow we received last night brings the total accumulation to 78", a new snowfall record. There was one death, but not from exposure. It was the result of a traffic accident. There was also a small avalanche intentionally created that blocked the only way in or out of Anchorage, but only for a few hours. It was cleared on Christmas Eve.

Seward Highway reopens after avalanche sweeps over road near Sterling Highway

Closer to Valdez, the Richardson Highway was closed at Thompson Pass much of Sunday for avalanche mitigation work and a winter storm.

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The record was established in 1953, which is consistent with what we've been experiencing since 2010. The overall total snow record for Anchorage was 133" established during the Winter of 2011-2012. Prior to that 132" of snow fell during the Winter of 1955-1956. Since we will continue to see snow fall until April, there is a good possibility of establishing a new total snowfall record for the Winter of 2023-2024. December and March are usually the biggest snow months in south-central Alaska.

From 1945 until 1980 the US experienced a 35-year cold period. It was not the first time either. From 1880 until 1915 the US suffered an identical 35-year cold period. Each of these 35-year cold periods were broken up by 30-year warm periods. Which occurred between 1915 and 1945, and again between 1980 and 2010.

Which means, if the trend continues as it has for the last 130 years, then from 2010 until 2045 should be another cold period in the US. Where we should expect similar Summer and Winter temperatures and climatic conditions that we experienced during the prior cold periods. Then from 2045 until 2075 we should experience another 30-year warm period, where climatic conditions will be like those experienced from 1980 to 2010.

 

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A new year brings more death. Two more died from exposure last Friday as they drove from Fairbanks to Circle. A blizzard created white-out conditions. State Troopers also had to rescue to other vehicles who had either run out of fuel or got stuck in the snow. Only two where found dead from exposure.

2 found dead in snowbound vehicle in Interior Alaska mountain pass

Authorities recovered both bodies Friday from Eagle Summit on the Steese Highway where conditions Wednesday were described as winds of 60 mph and snowdrifts up to 10 feet deep.

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