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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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Ski festival without snow?
Ahead of the Lârsêraq Ski Festival in Sisimiut, organizers are still waiting for the season’s first real snow, an unusual situation linked to warming winters. The youth-focused cross-country event is set for Dec. 10–14, and may adapt if snow arrives late.
Sisimiut, Qeqqata, Greenland
Sermitsiaq.ag

Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier has officially receded from Mendenhall Lake
Scientists confirm Mendenhall Glacier is no longer in contact with Mendenhall Lake, marking a new phase in its long retreat. The shift may slow near‑term ice loss but could alter tourism and views from the visitor center.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Dark clear skies and solar storm put on a show near Juneau
Bright aurora borealis displays lit up the sky over Juneau, Alaska, on Nov. 12, 2025, following a series of solar flares. Residents gathered at dark locations near Mendenhall Glacier and Lake to watch the northern lights.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Invasive emerald ash borer forces North Yarmouth to remove ash trees from park
North Yarmouth, Maine removed about 80 ash trees from Baston Park after an emerald ash borer infestation was detected. The wood will be processed by the Cumberland Wood Bank for local heating under state-advised precautions.
North Yarmouth, Cumberland County, Maine, United States
The Portland Press Herald

Steinar had enough: This year there’s no hope of winter
Late October in Hammerfest and surrounding Finnmark communities remains snowless, with locals saying it’s easier to find lingonberries than ski tracks. The article highlights unusually delayed winter conditions compared to last year.
Hammerfest, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Maine issues new do-not-eat advisory as wildlife tests positive for PFAS in Waldo County
Maine has issued a do-not-eat advisory for white-tailed deer and wild turkeys in parts of Knox, Thorndike and Unity after tests found elevated PFAS in muscle tissue. The advisory expands earlier restrictions tied to contamination from sludge-applied farm fields.
Waldo County, Maine, United States
The Portland Press Herald

Mass fish die-off in renowned salmon river: ‘Never seen anything like it’
Hundreds of Atlantic salmon and sea trout have died in the Gaula River in Midtre Gauldal, Trøndelag. Researchers suspect a severe outbreak of egg-spore water mold (Saprolegnia) and are investigating the scale and causes.
Midtre Gauldal, Trøndelag, Norway
NRK
Trond Odin Myhre Johansen; Jøte Toftaker

Never before seen in Scandinavia: People jumped in their cars to find it
A Tennessee warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) was captured and identified at Mølen in Vestfold after Storm Amy, marking the first record for Scandinavia. Ornithologists believe it was carried across the Atlantic by strong jet streams; birders rushed from around Norway to see it, though it is unlikely to survive the Norwegian autumn.
Mølen, Vestfold, Norway
NRK

Sitkinak Island deer start Kenai adventure
Alaska wildlife officials translocated 19 Sitka black-tailed deer from Sitkinak Island to near Port Chatham on the Kenai Peninsula to establish a sustainable herd. The deer were GPS-collared and will be monitored to assess survival, expansion, and the feasibility of future hunts.
Port Chatham, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

Still summer here – end of September
Although autumn has arrived across most of Sweden, meteorological summer persists along the coast between Skellefteå and Piteå, including Byske. SVT’s meteorologist says autumn is about two weeks later than the 30‑year average, and locals and tourists are enjoying the unusual warmth.
Byske, Västerbotten County, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

2 hikers injured in bear attack on popular trail near Seward
Two hikers were injured after fighting off a brown bear about a quarter-mile up the Exit Glacier trail near Seward. The National Park Service closed the trail while troopers and biologists assess the area.
Seward, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Wildfires in E. C. Manning Provincial Park
In September 2025, multiple wildfires were observed near E.C. Manning Provincial Park, BC, highlighting the increasing prevalence and intensity of wildfires in the region.
E.C. Manning Provincial Park, British Columbia

EHD, bluetongue turn up in North Idaho
Idaho Fish and Game confirmed epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and bluetongue in deer across North Idaho’s Panhandle amid hot, dry conditions, with similar outbreaks reported in Eastern Washington and southeastern Montana. Officials report hundreds of sick or dead deer and expect cases to rise until a hard freeze reduces biting midge vectors.
North Idaho, Idaho, United States
The Spokesman-Review

Human Disturbance and Shorebird Decline in the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Human disturbances, such as off-leash dogs and increased tourism, are causing a decline in shorebird populations at the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, disrupting their critical stopover habitat and reflecting broader global biodiversity challenges.
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Basking sharks captured on video off Nairn in rare sighting
Up to 10 basking sharks were filmed close to shore off Nairn in the Moray Firth, offering rare, close-up views to tour passengers and beachgoers. The late-summer sightings featured large sharks circling near idle boats in calm water.
Nairn, Highland, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

Bear attacked a hunter in Posio — police say the hunt was legal
During a bear hunt in Posio, Finland, a bear attacked a hunter. Police said the hunt was legal; details were still limited as the investigation began.
Posio, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Low water impacting salmon run
The Chinook salmon run in the Napanee River is being impacted by unusually low water levels.
Napanee, Ontario, Canada

Rare recreational opening on Lower Fraser due to huge sockeye run
Fisheries and Oceans Canada authorized a rare recreational sockeye opening in the non-tidal Fraser River from Mission to Hope (Aug. 22–Sept. 1, 2025) after unexpectedly large sockeye returns; retention is two sockeye per day and four pinks per day, with restrictions to avoid impacts on non-target stocks.
Lower Fraser River (Mission to Hope), British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette (Black Press Media)

How the Mosquito Summer Was: "People Walked in the Mountains Without Being Bitten"
This summer brought unusually few mosquitoes to Norrbotten, allowing many to hike in the mountains without being bitten due to a dry spring and cool early summer.
Norrbotten, Sweden
Norrländska Socialdemokraten (NSD)

King salmon’s disappearance has changed the Kenai River, but a soaring sockeye run is keeping it in business
The traditional king salmon fishery on the Kenai River has collapsed for a third straight year, but unprecedented sockeye runs have buoyed local guides, processors and businesses—while also creating new infrastructure and sustainability challenges.
Kenai River, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Mountain biker suffers minor injuries in cougar attack near Squamish, B.C.
A mountain biker was attacked by a cougar near Squamish, B.C., suffering minor injuries before scaring the animal off with rocks.
Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK News

Increased bear activity closes several East Anchorage trails
Officials have indefinitely closed about 2.5 miles of popular biking, running and hiking trails in Far North Bicentennial Park and the Campbell Tract in East Anchorage due to heightened brown bear activity around salmon streams.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Kodiak breaks another rain record
On August 6, 2025, Kodiak recorded 2.31 inches of rain—shattering the previous daily record of 1.72 inches from 2013—and forcing the cancellation of slowpitch softball games.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

What's happening with the weather in Tana?
Tana and the rest of Finnmark are experiencing an unusual late-summer heat wave with temperatures around 30 °C, leading locals to swim in the warmed Tanaelva.
Tana, Finnmark, Norway
NRK Sápmi
Ingrid Elise Trosten; Anne Ragnhild Porsanger

Hikers on Kungsleden Avoid Heat – Hike at Night
During a prolonged heatwave with temperatures above 30°C (86 F) in Vindelfjällen, hikers on Kungsleden are shifting their treks to early morning and nighttime to escape daytime heat.
Hemavan, Västerbotten, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Itchy rashes after swimming in lake in Gällivare – suspected swimmers' itch
Gällivare municipality warns of suspected cases of swimmers’ itch after bathers developed itchy skin eruptions following a dip in Abborrtjärn.
Gällivare, Norrbotten County, Sweden
Norrländska Socialdemokraten

Algal Bloom in the Archipelago – Municipality Urges Avoiding Swimming
Sustained high temperatures have led to algal blooms at several sites in the Haparanda Archipelago, and local authorities are advising people to avoid bathing.
Haparanda, Norrbotten, Sweden
Norrländska Socialdemokraten (NSD)

Waters Have Warmed Rapidly in Lapland – “I Don’t Remember the Last Time I’ve Seen So Many People on the Beach”
Lake and river surface waters in Lapland have warmed rapidly due to recent heatwaves, reaching up to 5°C above average and attracting more beach visitors than usual.
Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Many Questions About the Algal Bloom: “What Does This Mean for Me?”
An algal bloom was detected at the municipal Lulsundet beach in Luleå on July 15, prompting warning signs and questions from residents about potential health and safety risks.
Luleå, Norrbotten County, Sweden
Norrbottens-Kuriren

Abundant and tall cow parsnip
Observers report an increase in the abundance and height of cow parsnip, also know as pushki or wild celery. These conditions may be a signal of warming and wetter climate trends.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Kendra Zamzow, Wilson Justin, Gino Graziano, Katie Spellman, Richard L Thoman Jr, Lars Flora

Lake near Sachs Harbour drains in less than a month
Angus Lake near Sachs Harbour rapidly drained over the course of early July 2025 after permafrost thaw created a water channel, emptying the lake into the Sachs River and leaving a large crater.
Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Mosquitoes almost gone in many places due to drought
Prolonged drought in July dried up small ponds that mosquito larvae depend on, leading to an almost mosquito-free summer in Flisa and other parts of Norway.
Flisa, Innlandet, Norway
NRK

Avalanche near Byron Glacier Trail
On Sunday afternoon, a family on the Byron Glacier Trail in Portage Valley, Alaska captured footage of a large wet springtime avalanche that sent debris down into the valley floor. No one was injured.
Portage Valley, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

Dangerously hot in Alaska? New warnings show climate change impact
National Weather Service to launch first heat advisories in Fairbanks and Juneau this summer in response to climate change.
Alaska, United States
USA TODAY

Snow shortage in the mountains – guests get refunds from Skistar at three resorts
Faced with unusually mild conditions and a snow-poor season, Skistar has activated its snow guarantee, offering full refunds for bookings at Sälen, Trysil, and Vemdalen ski resorts this week.
Sälen, Dalarna, Sweden; Trysil, Innlandet, Norway; Vemdalen, Jämtland, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Escarpment Unstable: Localized Erosion Prompts Whitehorse Airport Trail Closure
Localized erosion from the spring melt has led Whitehorse city officials to temporarily close portions of the airport area trails to safeguard the public.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Yukon News

Luleå municipality closes the ice rink for the season
Luleå kommun has closed its ice rink for the season after observing a rapid melt that reduced the ice thickness by 15 centimeters over two days, raising serious safety concerns.
Luleå, Norrbotten, Sweden
Kuriren

Snow’s notable absence and welcome (and sometimes weird) presence
UAF Geophysical Institute space physicist Peter Delamere recently rode his fat-tire bike over frozen vegetation south of the Alaska Range until his tires finally bit snow a bit farther north.
Knik, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

16-year-old killed in Turnagain Pass avalanche
A 16-year-old snowmachiner from Soldotna was killed in an avalanche at Turnagain Pass, Alaska, highlighting the ongoing danger in the area due to unstable snowpack conditions.
Turnagain Pass, Alaska, United States
KTUU

Helicopter caught in avalanche in Abisko – two persons missing
A rescue operation has been initiated after an avalanche dragged a helicopter that was on the ground in Abisko National Park, with two persons currently reported missing.
Abisko, Norrbotten, Sweden

Classic Skiing Competition 7-mila Cancelled Due to Lack of Snow
The classic long-distance ski race 7-mila has been cancelled due to a lack of snow for the first time since 2014, affecting over 130 registered participants and causing financial concerns for the organizers.
Robertsfors, Västerbotten, Sweden

‘I’m really looking forward to being inside’: An oral and visual history of Trondheim’s wettest weather in a century
The central Norwegian region of Trøndelag is known for its inclement weather; per an ongoing tourism campaign, while “the food is iconic,” the weather is “chronic.” But the past week in Trondheim has been special even by local standards, and not in a good way. The city, according to Norwegian media, has to reach back more than a century to find a wetter five-day stretch than the one it just experienced, with 4.5 inches of precipitation.
Trondheim, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway
Fasterskier

3 heli-skiers killed in massive avalanche near Girdwood
This is Alaska’s first fatal avalanche reported this season. It is also the country’s deadliest since February 2023.
Girdwood, Alaska
Alaska Public Media

Iditarod 53: Mushers, dogs regroup in Tanana after 'sandstorm' flings silt near river
During Iditarod 53, mushers and their sled dogs battled high winds that whipped up a sandstorm near the Tanana River, forcing teams to pause and regroup. The unexpected conditions challenged visibility and navigation, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the race.
Tanana, Alaska, United States
KTUU

‘Prepared to be adaptable’: Mushers leave Fairbanks to officially launch a historic 53rd Iditarod
The Iditarod Trail Committee announced that poor snow conditions made the traditional southern route untenable, forcing organizers to move the start nearly 300 miles north, from Willow to Fairbanks. The novel 1,128-mile route passes through Interior Alaska with a loop on the Yukon River. “We are all rookies,” Big Lake musher Nicolas Petit joked.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Anchorage snowpack officially drops to zero, rare for early March
The National Weather Service says the city has had no snow at this point in the season only twice before. On average, that doesn’t usually happen until halfway through April. Last year, which turned out to be the second snowiest on record, more than 2 feet blanketed the ground on March 3.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

2025 Fur Rondy kicks off amid low snow winter
The 90th annual Fur Rendezvous Festival kicked off Thursday around Anchorage and is expected to feature its traditional late-winter celebration, despite a winter season marred by low snowfall.

Anchorage’s scarcity of new snow since December sets dismal record
Anchorage has experienced its lowest snowfall from December to mid-February since records began in 1953, with only 4.3 inches, leading to significant changes in winter events like the Iditarod and Fur Rondy due to unseasonably warm, windy weather.

Poor snow cover cancels Ski for Women
Due to a diminished snowpack on the central Kenai Peninsula, the Ski for Women event at Tsalteshi Trails near Soldotna, Alaska has been canceled, though organizers remain hopeful about the upcoming Tour of Tsalteshi.
Soldotna, Alaska, United States
Peninsula Clarion

‘He could have died’: Pro snowboarder left frustrated with rescue process after avalanche swept friend away
A professional snowboarder criticized the prolonged five‐hour rescue effort after an avalanche swept a backcountry skier down a mountain, cautioning that every minute matters in life‐or‐death situations.
KTVA

Multiple Southcentral ski areas closed over the weekend citing weather
Unusual weather conditions, including warming temperatures and increased rainfall, forced multiple Southcentral Alaska ski areas to close, while others faced high winds and heavy snow, highlighting a challenging winter for ski operations and backcountry travel.
Palmer, Alaska, United States

The Iditarod is evaluating alternate race routes because of poor trail conditions
Organizers say they will determine by Feb. 3 whether it’s feasible to run the traditional southern route.
Nome, Alaska, United States

Kuskokwim 300 delayed 2 weeks due to low snow and warm temperatures
The 2025 Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race has been delayed by two weeks due to unusually low snowfall and warm temperatures, making it difficult to ensure safe trail conditions. This extended delay is rare in the race's 46-year history, typically only postponed for a day or two.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Deteriorating trail conditions postpone Holiday Classic sled dog race
The Holiday Classic sled dog race in Bethel, Alaska, has been postponed due to hazardous trail conditions caused by recent storms and warm temperatures.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
KYUK

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