Record-Breaking Cold Grips Glennallen as Community Comes Together

Glennallen, AK – After an unusually mild November and early December, the Copper River Basin was plunged into one of the coldest December cold snaps in decades. From December 6–12, a powerful Arctic air mass settled over eastern Interior Alaska and the Yukon Territory, bringing extreme and persistent cold not typically seen this early in the winter season.

According to regional climate data, temperatures in the -50°F range, once more common in mid-winter, are rare in December. Temperatures that we usually expect in January or February arrived early and stayed, settling into daily life and refusing to let up.

While climate data shows how unusual this cold snap is, you don’t need a thermometer to know something is different. You feel it in the way the air hurts to breathe. Meteorologists note that this marks one of the most significant December cold spells across Interior Alaska in roughly 25 years. The last comparable event occurred in 2001, when Anchorage experienced six consecutive days of -30°F or colder. In Glennallen, many longtime residents say December hasn't been this cold since the year 2000.

The prolonged cold has placed daily strain on residents across the Copper River Basin. Keeping Toyo stoves fueled, wood piles stocked, and homes warm has become a full-time effort. Vehicles have been especially vulnerable, with many residents reporting frozen batteries and unreliable starts despite being plugged in for long periods. 

Some community members have resorted to removing batteries nightly to charge them indoors or purchasing replacements just to keep their vehicles operational. “Every morning starts with the same question,” Paul White  shared. “Will my car start today?”

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Despite the challenges, essential workers have continued to brave the extreme conditions. Delivery drivers, Alaska State Troopers, utility workers, electricians, and telephone company staff have remained on the roads. Elder services staff from Copper River Native Association (CRNA) have worked tirelessly to ensure elders are safe, warm, and supported throughout the cold spell. 

While CRNA was forced to close for one day due to hazardous working conditions, swift action by CRNA maintenance, Crowley, and the local fire chief ensured facilities were safe, allowing operations to resume the following day.

Community resilience has been especially evident at the local food bank, which remained open despite the cold. Volunteers and clients worked together to keep the facility warm, including the donation of propane heaters to heat the back room. These efforts ensured continued access to food and support during a time when many were unable to travel easily.

Meteorologists attribute the persistent cold to a strong high-pressure system over the Bering Sea combined with low pressure over Southeast Alaska, allowing Arctic air to spill southward and remain locked in place. 

According to reporting from the Anchorage Daily News and Alaska’s News Source, only one out of eleven recent days brought normal temperatures to Anchorage, while Glennallen has seen lows near -62°F with daytime highs struggling to rise above -30°F. This pattern is expected to continue through late December and into January, with temperatures far below seasonal averages.

The cold has also been accompanied by severe weather events. On Saturday, a powerful windstorm brought gusts up to 35 mph in parts of the region. While temperatures were slightly warmer that day, the winds made travel hazardous, pushing trees and brush into roadways and complicating basic tasks like hauling water and running errands.

Yet, amid the hardship, residents speak of a silver lining. The cold has slowed daily life, encouraging families to stay home, gather together, and reconnect. Neighbors are offering rides, checking on one another, and ensuring no one is left walking in dangerous temperatures. 

I wanted to share a story of kindness when my nephew was reminded of the community’s strength when other locals offered him a ride so he wouldn’t have to walk from Copper Center to the telephone company in extreme cold.

These are the moments that remind us who we are. The weather may be harsh, but the people here are not.

As frost coats the trees and steam rises slowly from the Copper River, Glennallen stands as a reminder that even in record-breaking cold, warmth can still be found in shared meals, open doors, and neighbors looking out for one another. As the community continues to endure this rare December freeze, residents remain united, resilient, and hopeful for warmer days ahead.