Aviation expert David Doughty warned travelers sternly: "Prepare for the worst." With meteorologists attributing upcoming ice storms and blizzards to climate change and El Niño, Doughty's advice seems timely.
The National Weather Service's recent El Niño advisory, predicting an unusual warming of Pacific Ocean surface waters, signals a turbulent winter ahead, as per USA Today.
Adapting to Harsh Winter
Travelers like Nikita Sherbina are heeding these warnings. Sherbina, who heads a Seattle-based business software company, has opted for refundable or flexible tickets and is vigilant on weather forecasts.
This precautionary approach is sensible, as meteorologists predict erratic weather conditions to persist into early spring, potentially jeopardizing winter vacations.
An internal survey by TripIt indicates that extreme weather has already impacted 15% of its users this summer, a figure expected to rise with the advent of El Niño. Jen Moyse, TripIt's vice president of product, echoes the concern for traveler disruptions this winter.
With likely scenarios of stranded travelers in snowstorms or prolonged waits at airports, it's crucial to understand which regions might be worst affected.
Meanwhile, the harsh winter weather has had a devastating impact in Anchorage, Alaska. The city, grappling with a large homeless population, has witnessed more than 2 feet of snow in 48 hours, leading to four deaths among the lost.
This year's toll of outdoor deaths in Anchorage has alarmingly reached 49, surpassing last year's count of 24, as reported by the Anchorage Daily News.
The recent snowstorm has buried tents and vehicles used by people experiencing homelessness following the closure of a mass shelter in the city's sports arena during the pandemic.
Despite available shelter beds, factors like lack of transportation, healthcare access, and reluctance to seek shelter have played a role in these tragedies, according to CBS News
Doughty's Weather Alert, Anchorage Boosts Shelter and Care
The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness emphasizes the need for health care access, Narcan, and harm reduction counseling to prevent such deaths.
An Anchorage Assembly member, Felix Rivera, stresses the importance of building more housing to prevent further fatalities. While temporary solutions like added shelter beds are in place, the city's long-term focus must be sustainable housing solutions.
Anchorage's struggle to accommodate people experiencing homelessness, post the arena's closure, has led to contentious discussions between the city's conservative mayor and liberal assembly.
Mayor Dave Bronson's criticized proposal of one-way airplane tickets for people experiencing homelessness reflects the complexity of the situation. A new 150-bed mass shelter was opened recently, but the demand for shelter beds remains high.
As the city braces for single-digit temperatures, officials warn of severe snowfall impacting road conditions and public transportation.
The recent storm, breaking multiple snowfall records, has led to widespread power outages and school closures, highlighting the urgent need for robust municipal responses.
Mayor Bronson acknowledges the challenges in clearing snow-clogged roads, emphasizing the city's partnership with the state in these efforts.
As Anchorage confronts these weather extremes, the need for comprehensive and inclusive solutions to protect its vulnerable populations becomes increasingly evident, Alaska News Source reported.