Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, has been experiencing some of its coldest temperatures in years. The mayor has opened warming facilities for homeless individuals and those without reliable heating. Meanwhile, the state capital, Juneau, has been hit by a two-day storm that set a new January snowfall record of 6.4 feet. This is unusual for Juneau, which is located in a temperate rainforest. Anchorage has also surpassed 100 inches of snow, reaching this milestone earlier in the year than ever before.

Fairbanks, a popular destination for viewing the northern lights, has been enduring temperatures of minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Other towns across Alaska have seen temperatures hovering between minus 30 Fahrenheit and minus 20 Fahrenheit for days. According to National Weather Service meteorologist Dustin Saltzman, this cold outbreak is the coldest in several years.

In addition to the extreme cold, heating fuel in the small town of Kotzebue has thickened so much that home heating systems and stoves have stopped working. Water lines have also frozen across town. South-central Alaska's largest utility, ENSTAR Natural Gas Co., has faced challenges with two wells at a gas storage facility due to the peak winter demand.

Residents in Anchorage are struggling to cope with the harsh conditions. Mayor Dave Bronson declared an emergency and opened warming centers, some of which are open 24/7. Tragically, a man fleeing a fire in Sutton was found dead, possibly due to exposure. Anchorage has also issued warnings to businesses to vacate their properties until snow is removed from rooftops, as several commercial buildings have already collapsed under the weight of the snow.

Schools in Anchorage have had six days of remote learning due to the weather, and an elementary school was closed on Thursday due to a boiler issue. Despite the challenges, some residents are finding ways to embrace the winter weather. Paul Ferucci, a retired doctor, is training to participate in the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a competition for humans that involves running, biking, or skiing along a challenging route. He mentioned that the temperature reached minus 20 Fahrenheit in one part of Anchorage, a rarity.

While parts of southeast Alaska, like Ketchikan, have experienced milder temperatures and rain, the rest of the state continues to deal with the extreme cold. The situation in Alaska highlights the need for warming centers, emergency declarations, and precautions against snow-related hazards.