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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

Breathing Fire
As climate change fuels large wildfires, the pollution they're releasing is making Americans sick and undermining decades of progress in cleaning the air.
California to Pacific Northwest, United States
Climate Central

Prolonged Fog in Anchorage Area
Near record stretch of foggy days at Ted Stevens International Airport.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Dense Fog in Anchorage
This is the second longest period of visibility remaining this low at the Anchorage Airport.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Fog For Days
More open water on rivers and lakes that add to the near-ground moisture.
Anvik, Alaska, United States

Wind storm batters Maine
We put out the call for images of storm damage across the state Monday morning and our readers answered with some great shots.
Yarmouth, Maine, United States
Press Herald

A Not So Normal Summer
Drought, causing low waters in Goodnews River, no blackberries, and early cool weather.
Goodnews Bay, Alaska, United States

Slow going in fight against deadly fires in California
The wind known as the Diablo is picking up again, the air is dry, there is no rain in sight and the killer wildfires that have scorched the wine country of Northern California remain almost completely uncontained. Officials warned Wednesday that some of the big fires could merge. Amid these grim bulletins, the huge utility company PG&E acknowledged that the extreme winds late Sunday and early Monday had knocked trees into power lines in conditions conducive to wildfires.
North Bay, California, United States
GoErie.com
Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Kristine Phillips, Joel Achenbach - The Washington Post

For first time in 300 years, Barbuda is empty
When Hurricane Irma ravaged the Caribbean island of Barbuda, the storm left it uninhabitable." And, now, for the first time in 300 years, no one lives there.
Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda
CNN
Joe Sterling and Cassandra Santiago, CNN

Video shows methane leaking from beneath an Arctic river after spectacular eruption
Gas bubbles from waters filling crater hole on Yamal peninsula two months after volcanic-style explosion in thawing permafrost.
Yamal-Nenets District, Russia
Siberian Times

Nahanni Butte residents told to stay out of community, as officials monitor nearby wildfire
Residents are now being asked to stay away from Nahanni Butte, N.W.T., after being forced out Thursday night by a forest fire burning close to the community.
Nahannie Butte, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Wildfire smoke leads to weather alert on Vancouver Island
Environment Canada says these smoky conditions could remain until Wednesday.
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Victoria News

Irritating smoke from wildfires choking US West, turning lives upside down
The smoke from massive wildfires hangs like fog over large parts of the U.S. West, an irritating haze causing health concerns, forcing sports teams to change schedules and disrupting life from Seattle to tiny Seeley Lake, Montana.
California
Fox News

L.A. Area Wildfire Spurs Hundreds Of Evacuations, Smoke Keeps Others Indoors
Los Angeles County's La Tuna Fire is one of 29 burning across the state, and "is the largest fire in the history of L.A. city," Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
Brace Canyon, Burbank, California, United States
NPR.org

Another 1,500 evacuated from Manitoba First Nation due to wildfire
The Canadian Red Cross says an additional 1,500 people from the Garden Hill First Nation in Manitoba have been given evacuation orders due to wildfire smoke in the Island Lake area.
Garden HiIl First Nation
CBC News

Jolly Mountain Fire threatens 3,800 homes, unhealthy levels of smoke hit Yakima
UPDATE 3:55 P.M. With assistance from several supporting agencies, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office completed evacuation notices mid-day Saturday in the Roslyn, Ronald and Lake Cle Elum areas.
Jolly Mountain
Yakima Herald-Republic

Life returning to normal in Kamloops as wildfire evacuees head home
Looking around the deserted plaza in front of the Sandman Centre arena in Kamloops on Monday, it’s hard to believe that last month it was crammed with thousands of people who were looking for help after being forced from their homes by wildfires.
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

How Climate Change Likely Heightened Harvey’s Fury
Several factors have conspired to make Hurricane Harvey so destructive in Texas, and warming temperatures are likely part of the problem.
Houston, Texas, United States
National Geographic

Hurricane Harvey was fueled by record heat in the Gulf of Mexico
Study calculates energy Harvey took from the ocean, shows human role.
Gulf of Mexico
Ars Technica

'Historic Devastation' ahead from Hurricane Harvey
The remnants of Harvey re-intensified into a hurricane on Thursday, and it may become a major hurricane by Friday.
Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
The Weather Network

Hundreds of firefighters battling largest wildfire ever recorded in B.C.
Hundreds of firefighters and dozens of aircraft are working to contain the largest wildfire ever recorded in British Columbia's history, and it could take weeks to get it under control.
Chilcotin Plateau, British Columbia
CBC News

2017 officially B.C.’s worst ever wildfire season
British Columbia, Canada
Global News

'It had to be done': Hot weather forces pleasurable dip in the Arctic Ocean
Temperatures neared 22 C in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, on the weekend. Hot enough for a sweet summer swim.
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada

Arctic heat wave sweeps across western Nunavut and High Arctic
Nunavut and High Arctic
NunatsiaqOnline

Hazy, smokey skies continue to blanket parts of the N.W.T. prompting health advisories
Lutselk'e, N.W.T. is one of several communities in the Northwest Territories that has been blanketed by smoke over the past few days thanks to strong south winds blowing smoke up north from fires burning south of Great Slave Lake.
Lutselk'e, Northwest Territories, Canada

Smoke from unusual Greenland wildfire hampers reindeer hunt
Smoke from a wildfire in southwestern Greenland is hampering the wild reindeer hunt on the Arctic island, best known for its ice rather than burning grass and bushes.
Nassuttooq Fjord, Greenland

Smoke from unusual Greenland wildfire hampers reindeer hunt
Smoke from a wildfire in southwestern Greenland is hampering the wild reindeer hunt on the Arctic island, best known for its ice rather than burning grass and bushes.
Western Greenland

No end in sight for B.C. wildfires, one month since state of emergency declared
Wildfire conditions remained 'static' during the long weekend but fires still a concern through August
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Yukon News

Arctic Greenland is burning: Hunters blinded by billowing smoke during wild reindeer hunt
Smoke from a wildfire in southwestern Greenland is hampering the wild reindeer hunt on the Arctic island, best known for its ice rather than burning grass and bushes.
Nassuttoq Island, Greenland
National Post

Alaska’s tiny Bogoslof volcano erupts again, sending an ash cloud miles above the Aleutians
The significant explosive eruption started around 10 a.m. Monday, the Alaska Volcano Observatory reported.
Bogoslof Island, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

Seabirds found dead on Nome beach
On Sunday, Austin Ahmasuk went along the beach to his camp at the Sinuk River, about 28 miles from Nome, and shortly after hitting West Beach past the port, he found one dead seabird on the shore.
Sinuk River, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Dense Smoke Over Bellingham Bay
Bellingham, Washington, United States

Air Quality Advisory due to Wildfires
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Poor air quality for Swinomish community members
Bay View, Washington, United States

Portland bakes: 105 degrees forecast Thursday
After hitting 100 degrees Wednesday, Portland’s light-rail trains are operating at slower speeds amid concern that the heat will cause tracks to expand and risk a derailment. In exchange for the slow service, inspectors are not checking riders for tickets.
Portland, Oregon, United States
The Seattle Times

Change in Wind and Weather Patterns
Weather patterns have changed so much in the past several years.
Wales, Alaska, United States
Moses Tcheripanoff, Stanley Oxereok, Erica Lujan, Richard L Thoman Jr

BC wildfires caused in part by and contributing to climate change
In some recent years, GHG emissions from BC wildfires have been more than from all other sectors put together
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
The Climate Examiner

B.C. wildfires’ impact on animals ‘to be horrific’: wildlife rehab facility
A major wildlife rehabilitation facility is bracing for the devastating impact of the B.C. wildfires on birds and mammals.
Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

No weather relief in sight
As wildfires continue to rage in B.C., there's no rain relief in sight
Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

California fires spread quickly, evacuation orders lifted in other parts of West
In other parts of the West, evacuation orders were lifted in Colorado and Montana towns threatened by wildfires
Santa Barbara County
CBS News

Canada's British Columbia battles wildfires
British Columbia has declared a state of emergency and thousands have been evacuated.
100 Mile House
BBC News

18 temperature records smashed
Temperature records were broken around the province with Vernon breaking an 111-year-old record
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

A New Trend On The Great Plains: More Wildfires
Wildfires burned through thousands of acres of Great Plains farm and ranch land in the 1980s. Today, wildfires are likely to char millions of acres. The
Pine Ridge, Nebraska, United States
KUNC

Storm winds knock out power to thousands
High winds blasted across south-western Finland Friday, cutting electricity to customers. The rare June storm peaked on Friday afternoon.
West of Helsinki, Finland
Yle Uutiset

An Interior wildfire sparks back up
A wildfire north of Delta Junction has reignited. The more than 8,000-acre South Fork Salcha Fire was started by lightning earlier this month in a remote area about 70 miles southeast of Fairbanks.
Delta Junction, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Unidentified Marine Mammal
We could not figure out the what type of sea mammal it is.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States
Gay Sheffield, Kathy Burek Huntington, Janet Mitchell

Las Vegas hits 117 degrees, tying a record, as the Southwest bakes
Dozens of flights out of Phoenix, Arizona, have been cancelled because of extreme heat.
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
latimes.com

Death Valley temperatures may hit 128 on summer's first day. The heat may give you bragging rights. Or it can kill you
You won't need any reminder that it's summer in the national park. The heat wave that's settled over the Southwest has already brought 120-degree readings, which will likely be surpassed this week.
Furnace Creek, California, United States
latimes.com

American Airlines Cancels 38 Phoenix Flights Due to Heat
American Airlines has canceled 38 flights in and out of Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon because of extreme heat.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona, United States
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Extreme heat keeping Kings River at flood levels
Because this extreme heat will last for several more days, the floodwaters aren't going away anytime soon. The higher the truck, the better for residents evacuating flooded homes in the River Bend RV Park.
River Bend RV Park, Minkler, California, United States
ABC30 Fresno

Fire Smoke Encroaching into Unalakleet
A haze surrounding the hills had a distinct smell of burned wood.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Oceanfloor Craters Hint of Potential Arctic Methane Explosions in the Future
Hundreds of craters caused by methane explosions were discovered underneath Barents sea. Further research finds evidence that the violent explosions could happen again in the future.
Barrents Sea
Tech Times

Fast Moving Hail Storm
Observed fast moving weather system... as quickly as it came it abated.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Fast Sea Ice Movement
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Shiveluch Volcano Erupts in Eastern Russia
The Shiveluch volcano in Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka region has erupted, spewing ash some 13km above sea level.Officials from the region's Emergency Situations Ministry have confirmed that the ash is not expected to land on nearby settlements, Meanwhile a "red warning" has been issued to passing planes, urging them to avoid the site.The Shiveluch volcano is extimated to be between 60,000 and 70,000 years old.
Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
The Moscow Times

Climate Change drives early laying/hatching, but not only Temperature!
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
The Earth Times

Oxfam: Climate change deepening Horn of Africa's hunger crisis
Mogadishu, Banaadir, Somalia
Eyewitness News

A new crack in one of Greenland's largest glaciers
Petermann Glacier, Greenland
CNN

What tiny particles blowing in North Slope air tell us about oil-field pollution
Air emissions from Prudhoe Bay-area oil fields can have a big influence on the particles in the air in Utqiaġvik, the town formerly known as Barrow.
Utqiagvik, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Arctic lakes bubble from seeping methane gas
Detailed study of satellite data has identified more than 200 lakes with active methane emissions.
Salekhard, Yamalo-Nenetskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
Siberia Times

Open Water Adds to Winter Chill - Part 1
Unusually wet winter weather activity observed. Traveling in early February (AFE) disrupted travel due to weather conditions.

Ashfall from Bogoslof Volcano
Dusting of ash reported overnight.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States

Visible Hue to Air - Smoke.. Smog... Silt..?
Hazy air conditions in the Mat-Su Valley, southcentral Alaska.
Hatcher Pass, Alaska, United States

Fasten your seat belt – turbulence is on the rise
Severe turbulence, which recently forced the emergency landing of a transatlantic flight, is on the rise. But why and what can be done?
Houston, Texas, United States
the Guardian

Low Salmon Numbers
Commercial and Subsistence Harvest

High waves damage shoreline, road and community freezer in Grise Fiord
Some unusually high waves hit Grise Fiord, Nunavut, early Saturday morning, damaging the community's shoreline, part of a road and the community freezer.
Gise Fiord, Nunavut, Canada

Unusual Atmospheric Rainbow
Unusual atmospheric rainbow-like
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Early Allergy Season
Allergy season happening sooner

Record High Temperatures for April 18, 2016
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Volcanic Ash Fall
Ash from Mount Pavlof Lands in Nelson Lagoon
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States

A plea to take air pollution seriously
After wearing a disposable air pollution mask for two weeks, I am completely disgusted, and scared of the processes that happen in my lungs.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
UB Post

Smokey Air
Smokey air
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Smokey Air
Hazy fourth of July...
Wales, Alaska, United States

Lightening and Wildfire
There were lightning strike-caused fires at Paul's Creek and Coffee Creek north of King Salmon, AK.
King Salmon, Alaska, United States

Smokey Air
Smokey air as a result of wildfires to the north and south of Anchorage.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Velella en Isla San Martín

Bering Sea Superstorm Among the Strongest Extratropical Cyclones on Record
Partially derived from former Super Typhoon Nuri, the typhoon's remnants joined up with the polar jet stream and a very strong disturbance in the mid-latitude belt of westerly winds, leading to explosive development of low pressure.
The Weather Channel

Pavlof Volcano Ash
Volcanic eruption in the Aleutian's.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Pollen Makes for Poor Air Quality
5-19-14 Poor air quality - Anchorage Alaska, USA

Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire and smoke seen from Hatcher Pass, AK
Wasilla, Alaska, United States

Laysan albatross chicken die-off linked to Santa Ana winds
Laysan albatross chickens died from causes related to abnormal Santa Ana winds
Campamento Sur, Baja California, Mexico
Daniela Munguía, Julio Montoya, Yutzil Lora Cabrera

Storm Damage
Series of storms contribute to flooding, erosion, infrastructure damage.

Volcanic Ash Fall
5-21-13 Volcanic ash fall - Sand Point, Alaska, USA
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Changing Sea Ice
3-5-13 Changing sea ice - Unalakleet, Alaska, USA

Trapped on Sea Ice
A snowmachiner was trapped on the quickly moving floe and he was rescued later by a helicopter.
Nome, Alaska, United States

Road dust
Road dust is unhealthy.
Kalskag, Alaska, United States
Sharay Alexie, Billy Jean Stewart, Cathy Wasuli

Ice Departure Delayed
Sea ice conditions making it difficult for community to harvest seasonal fish.

Wildfires burn in the Cariboo
Alexandria, British Columbia, Canada

Canada's AG warns Nunavut about dangers of not having a climate change action plan
Nunavut is not prepared to deal with the impacts of climate change and doesn't have a plan to deal with them, according to the latest report by Canada's auditor general.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada

Anthrax outbreak confirmed in Wood Buffalo National Park
Bison will usually contract the disease from contaminated soil while wallowing in dust baths. Spores develop in hotter temperatures and fluctuating water levels. Cooler temperatures will kill the spores and slow the outbreak.
CBC

Gulf Coast waters are hotter than ever
A relentless heat dome that has parked over the Gulf Coast region for much of summer reached a climax late last week and this weekend, bringing some of the highest temperatures ever recorded from coastal Texas to southern Alabama. The water has also heated up far beneath the surface. In fact, temperatures of nearly 88 degrees are common to depths of 165 feet below the surface, according to data posted to Twitter by Kim Wood, a professor of meteorology at Mississippi State University. University of Miami hurricane scientist Andy Hazelton called the ocean heat “other-worldly.”
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Meteors, UFOs or something else? Dawson City, Yukon, residents puzzled by recent sightings in night sky
Over the past few weeks, Dawson City, Yukon, residents have had their eyes on the sky. Some residents have reported seeing what they have described as a ball of fire flying through the sky before it disappears.
Dawson City, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Hot and dry July saw temperature records topple in the Yukon
"We saw temperatures in the Yukon that were two to three-and-a-half degrees warmer than normal" in July, said David Phillips of Environment Canada. "The one that everybody was shaking their head about in Canada was at Carmacks. The incredible temperature on July the 7th got up to 35.5 degrees," Phillips said.The heat has also increased water temperatures in many parts of the territory. According to Phillips, some lakes are four to five degrees warmer than normal.
Carmacks, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Bizarre sight over Sydney stuns onlookers: 'What is it?'
Wild theories emerged online about what the strange mass could be. Scientist believe the mass was in fact a scud cloud, a type of cloud that appears at low height above ground. It's usually detached and of irregular form.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Yahoo News

'Incredibly bright' lunar halo photographed in Inuvik, N.W.T.
An Inuvik woman captured a picture of a lunar halo last week. When a retired professor of physics and astronomy saw the picture, he said what was impressive about it was how bright the halo was.
Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada

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