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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

Thousands remain without power as winds roar through Mat-Su
About 20,000 households were without power late Saturday afternoon, from Glacier View to Knik Goose Bay Road. Some railroad crossings were disabled due to wind damage.
Palmer, Alaska, United States
Mat-Su Sentinel

Magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes near Yakutat, kicking off a series of aftershocks
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck at 11:41 a.m. AKST on Dec. 6 about 58 miles north of Yakutat, Alaska, followed by a vigorous aftershock sequence with several above magnitude 5. No tsunami warning was issued and no injuries or damage had been reported as of early afternoon.
Yakutat, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

N.W.T. to support any school with drinking water as lead found at 4th Yellowknife school
Elevated lead levels were found in drinking water fixtures at Mildred Hall School in Yellowknife, the fourth Yellowknife school to test positive this year. The N.W.T. government will fund alternate drinking water for any territorial school while testing and remediation continue.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Maine set record low temperatures overnight
An arctic cold front drove overnight lows to record levels in Maine, with Portland hitting 2°F and Augusta 3°F and wind chills below zero. Communities opened warming centers as forecasters warned wind chills could drop to minus 30°F in parts of the state.
Portland, Maine, United States
The Portland Press Herald

Mysterious lights spotted in remote area of southeast Yukon
Multiple residents near Ross River, Yukon, reported rows of bright, flickering lights seen from the Robert Campbell Highway and over the community. Explanations remain unclear, with theories ranging from natural gas ignitions to human activity or unknown aerial phenomena.
Ross River, Yukon, Canada
CBC News

Hotel guide on snowmobile breaks through ice on the Kalix River near Överkalix
A Grand Arctic Resort guide fell through river ice with a snowmobile on the Kalix River near a bridge in Överkalix while grooming winter trails. He got wet but climbed out uninjured; the snowmobile and sled sank and were to be salvaged the next day.
Överkalix, Norrbotten County, Sweden
NSD (Norrländska Socialdemokraten)

Haines staff, divers respond after 81-foot tender sinks in small boat harbor
The 81-foot tender F/V Pavlof sank Thursday morning while moored in Haines Harbor, prompting an oil-containment response and salvage efforts. Harbor staff, divers, and local vessels worked through low tide to free the vessel and limit contamination.
Haines, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

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

Discovered strange light phenomenon: 15–20 lights in a row
Residents in Hammerfest observed a chain of 15–20 lights crossing the sky, likely a Starlink satellite train. The unusual sight prompted speculation before being linked to satellites.
Hammerfest, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

150+ Alaska flights canceled due to winter weather
Freezing rain, fog and high winds canceled more than 150 Grant Aviation flights out of Bethel and caused dozens more delays and cancellations in Anchorage and Kenai. Operations in Anchorage and Kenai resumed Tuesday, but Bethel flights had been grounded since Saturday.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source (KTUU)

Warning about particulate pollution — vulnerable people should protect their health
Reykjavík’s Health Inspection warns of high particulate matter near major roads in Reykjavík and Kópavogur during calm, dry weather, advising children, older adults, and people with respiratory illness to avoid busy roads and for the public to use alternatives to private cars.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
Morgunblaðið (mbl.is)

Slippery-ice chaos creates queues at the Skellefteå emergency department: “Casting non‑stop”
SMHI warned of icy conditions in northern Sweden, and Skellefteå’s ER saw a surge of patients injured in falls. Staff report “casting non‑stop,” with most injuries linked to extremely slippery streets and sidewalks.
Skellefteå, Västerbotten County, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Ice conditions are extremely weak in Rovaniemi
Authorities in Rovaniemi warn that river ice is extremely weak and going onto the ice is life‑threatening. Locals and businesses are urged not to set a bad example for tourists unfamiliar with ice safety.
Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Rockfall in Nordkapp: Large boulders broke loose—safety measures likely needed
Large boulders broke loose from Klubbhaugen in Nordkapp on Sunday and fell toward the parking area below. Authorities indicate safety measures will likely be needed.
Nordkapp, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Ice crossings on Peel and Mackenzie Rivers affected by above-average fall temperatures
Above-average fall temperatures in the Northwest Territories have delayed ice crossings on the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers, with officials warning this may become more common. The Peel River crossing opened later than average for light vehicles, while the Mackenzie River crossing at Tsiigehtchic remains closed.
Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Bear attacks man in public toilet in Japan
Incident north of Tokyo comes after a record 13 deaths from bear attacks in Japan since the start of April
Maebashi, Gunma, Japan

Earthquake shakes Southcentral on Thanksgiving morning
A magnitude-6 earthquake struck at 8:11 a.m. AKST on Nov. 27, 2025, centered 37 miles northwest of Anchorage at a depth of 43 miles. Shaking was felt across Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Kenai Peninsula, and as far as Fairbanks.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Landslide: Norðoyatunnilin closed
A landslide just north of the Klaksvík tunnel entrance has closed Norðoyatunnilin, leaving long lines of vehicles stuck. Police cite widespread traffic problems due to heavy rain and urge extreme caution.
Klaksvík, Norðoyar, Faroe Islands
Dimma.fo

New avalanche in Finnmark: Avalanche danger has definitely increased
Multiple avalanches and high avalanche danger have closed roads in Finnmark, especially in the west, amid wind, snowdrift and icy conditions. Authorities report E69 and parts of Rv94 closed, with broader travel disruptions and warnings as milder, windier weather raises the risk.
Nordkapp, Finnmark, Norway
NRK

Storm, black ice and closed schools: Drive carefully
Norway faces widespread yellow alerts for strong winds and icy roads after a sudden thaw, with the worst conditions in Lofoten, Vesterålen and Finnmark. Bus, ferry, fast boat and some flight services are disrupted; schools closed in parts of Nordland.
Lofoten, Nordland, Norway
NRK

Ice glaze: Severe weather shuts down Bodø Airport
Freezing rain and slick runways halted flights at Bodø Airport, stranding 150–200 passengers overnight and disrupting air and ferry traffic across Nordland. Operations resumed around midday but with intermittent closures expected as conditions remain icy.
Bodø, Nordland, Norway
NRK
Katrine Olsen Sørgård; Marie Staberg; Thomas Fredrik Kristensen

West Dawson residents hunkering and hoping for Yukon River to freeze
With the ferry pulled for the season, West Dawson residents are waiting weeks for the Yukon River to freeze so they can cross, as unusually warm weather keeps water open. The delay disrupts access, raises safety concerns, and highlights increasingly unpredictable freeze-up.
Dawson City, Yukon, Canada

New and viable, previously unknown freshwater pearl mussel population found in the Ivalojoki River
A significant, previously unknown population of freshwater pearl mussel was found in the Ivalojoki watershed in Finnish Lapland. The cooperative Lumimuutos discovered it during restoration work in the Sámi homeland in summer 2025; authorities are withholding the exact location.
Inari, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Train disabled on the Nordland Line after reindeer collision
A train on the Nordland Line struck a herd of reindeer south of Trofors, lost power, and 63 passengers endured over four hours at -14°C before being evacuated by snowmobile and rail trolley. Several reindeer were killed amid ongoing seasonal movements that have caused multiple collisions in the area.
Grane, Nordland, Norway

Demands halt to illegal discharge: “There is no doubt”
Gratangen municipality orders a farmer to stop an alleged illegal discharge of manure effluent. The farmer says the releases have ceased, but the municipality disagrees.
Gratangen, Troms, Norway
Fremover

As the dark season settled in, a unique parade of light appeared in Interior Alaska
In the course of a couple days in Fairbanks, stunning light pillars were visible, followed by a rare red aurora.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

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

Earthquake swarm near Tasiilaq
Around Tasiilaq, an overnight quake between Saturday and Sunday reached magnitude 4.8, part of an ongoing swarm with about 400 events recorded since September. GEUS says the area is Greenland’s most seismically active, with several quakes near magnitude 5 in recent months.
Tasiilaq, Sermersooq, Greenland
KNR

Cancels all departures: “Can be life-threatening”
SJ has canceled all train departures between Narvik, Norway and Boden, Sweden due to extreme cold, warning the situation can be life-threatening.
Narvik, Nordland, Norway
Fremover

Rabid fox caught in trap
Another fox on Svalbard has tested positive for rabies after being caught in a trap, according to Svalbardposten.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
Svalbardposten

Where is the snow? Unusually mild November in Nuuk
Nuuk has had such a mild November that early snow melted, with an average temperature of +1.9°C so far versus the normal -3.3°C, according to DMI. Colder weather with snow and frost is expected next week.
Nuuk, Sermersooq, Greenland
Sermitsiaq

Joggers spot seal swimming in central Helsinki
Joggers filmed a seal swimming and eating a fish in central Helsinki’s Eläintarhanlahti bay near Hakaniemi. The sighting lasted about 20 minutes and surprised onlookers in the urban setting.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle News

Whitehorse residents baffled by 'annoying hum' that no one seems able to explain
Residents across Whitehorse report a persistent low mechanical hum with no clear source. Yukon Energy says it’s unlikely to be its diesel generators, and the city is investigating noise complaints.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

School field trip in Bella Coola turns into fight for survival as grizzly injures students, teacher
A grizzly bear charged a Grade 4–5 class from Acwsalcta School near the Bella Coola River, seriously injuring three students and a teacher; others sustained minor injuries. Authorities are searching for the bear and urging residents to avoid nearby forested areas and travel only by vehicle.
Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Food deliveries to Khatanga delayed due to abnormal weather
Prolonged late freeze-up has disrupted delivery of essential foods to settlements near Khatanga. Authorities used a hovercraft to deliver supplies to Novaya and Zhdanikha, while shops are extending credit and resident debts are rising.
Khatanga, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Taimyr Telegraph

Hurricane Melissa winds hit record-breaking 252 mph, data confirms
Researchers recorded a record-breaking wind gust as Hurricane Melissa lashed the Caribbean in late October.
Kingston, Kingston, Jamaica

Sled dogs got loose and killed seven reindeer in Alta
Five sled dogs escaped near Jotka in Alta and chased a reindeer herd for up to two hours, leaving seven reindeer dead before owners and a herder regained control. Police have been notified, and the herder seeks an amicable settlement with the dog owners for losses and roundup costs.
Alta, Troms og Finnmark, Norway

Stranded pilot whale rescued in Cow Bay, Nova Scotia
A young long-finned pilot whale stranded in Cow Bay, Nova Scotia, was stabilized and refloated by the Marine Animal Response Society and local volunteers, then guided to deeper water with help from a Jet Ski. The animal swam away strongly, and responders urged the public to report such incidents rather than attempt rescues themselves.
Cow Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
PNI Atlantic News

Two oil spills in Kangaatsiaq total an estimated 27,000 liters
Two separate fuel spills occurred at the Kangaatsiaq power plant within a week, releasing an estimated total of up to 27,000 liters into the building, surrounding ground, and the sea. Authorities say the extent of the marine spill is unknown and could not be contained due to wind, waves, darkness, and lack of equipment.
Kangaatsiaq, Qeqertalik, Greenland
KNR

Heavy snowfall creates problems in Tromsø: No place to put the snow
After a weekend of heavy snowfall, Tromsø’s snow depots are full and city crews are hauling snow to the sea. To ease plowing, the city is changing parking rules to a 24/7 ban on certain center streets.
Tromsø, Troms, Norway
Tora Jarnæs Vold; Kari Anne Skoglund; Håkon Iversen

Benn asks fishermen to report jellyfish: “Terrible to see the fish suffer!”
A salmon farm manager in Finnmark urges fishermen to report pearl necklace siphonophore (jellyfish) sightings after blooms caused skin and eye injuries and breathing problems in farmed salmon near Øksfjord/Hammerfest.
Øksfjord, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Invasive carpet sea squirt spreading in Kosterhavet
The invasive carpet sea squirt (filtsjöpung), known as “sea vomit,” is rapidly spreading across the seafloor in Kosterhavet National Park, smothering organisms beneath it. Authorities say budget cuts have hampered monitoring and control, but they are now examining ways to slow the outbreak.
Kosterhavet, Bohuslän, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

One person caught in avalanche: Dug out on their own
An avalanche on Skittentind on Kvaløya near Tromsø caught one person, who managed to dig themselves out without injury. Police say the slide was about 40 m wide and 150 m long and occurred around 18:00, involving a party of three.
Tromsø, Troms og Finnmark, Norway

Nearly -30°C in Vuotso last night – November remains much colder than normal in Lapland
Temperatures fell to -29.5°C in Vuotso, Sodankylä, the coldest reading so far this winter in Finland. Other Lapland sites also saw severe cold, and November is running much colder than normal.
Vuotso, Sodankylä, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Rat alert at school: “It’s a rodent year”
Rats and droppings were found at Prästholmsskolan in Boden, Sweden; control measures are underway and the school says it acted immediately. The principal notes rodents have been sighted on the school grounds.
Boden, Norrbotten County, Sweden
NSD (Norrländska Socialdemokraten)

Slippery as soap in Tromsø: Police advise leaving the car at home
Heavy snowfall made roads extremely slippery in Tromsø on Saturday, leading to several accidents. Police urged residents not to drive if possible while about 70 plows worked continuously to clear snow, with more snow showers forecast.
Tromsø, Troms, Norway

Cold snap brings deep frost, snowfall and traffic warnings across Finland
Finland saw a sharp turn to winter with temperatures down to –20°C in Lapland and widespread snowfall, prompting traffic weather warnings in eastern and northern regions.
Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Yle News

Capercaillie touring central Överkalix: “Fun to experience”
A capercaillie has been roaming around central Överkalix for several weeks, surprising residents. A local photographer captured the bird on camera as a bird expert offers possible explanations for the unusual urban visit.
Överkalix, Norrbotten County, Sweden
NSD (Norrländska Socialdemokraten)

Meteorologists explain cause of light pillars over Dudinka
Light pillars were recently observed over Dudinka, formed by light reflecting off tiny, horizontally oriented hexagonal ice crystals in very cold, calm, clear conditions. The observation was made at about −28°C.
Dudinka, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Таймырский телеграф

Dyngjujökull moving many times faster than usual
A surge appears underway at Dyngjujökull, with GPS data showing the glacier moving at roughly 150 meters per year since early July—many times its normal speed. Experts note Dyngjujökull typically experiences multi‑year surges every 20–30 years, with the last occurring in 1998–2000.
Dyngjujökull, Vatnajökull, Iceland
mbl.is

H5N5 Avian influenza confirmed in Grays Harbor County resident
A Grays Harbor resident who was hospitalized with influenza symptoms in early November has been confirmed to have influenza A H5, a type of avian influenza. Additional testing shows the virus to be H5N5, an avian influenza virus that has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DOH currently consider the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low.
Aberdeen, Washington, United States
Washington State Department of Health

Power outages over 16 hours in Salla as crews work late; customers worry about freezers
Heavy snowfall caused widespread power outages in Salla and eastern Lapland, leaving some customers without electricity for over 16 hours as repair crews worked into the evening. Thousands lost power at the peak; even a mobile phone base station went down.
Salla, Lapland, Finland

Bird flu hits Skåne
An avian influenza outbreak in Skåne has devastated a poultry farm, with over 55,000 geese, turkeys, and chickens lost. Sweden’s veterinary institute warns of an unusually early, severe season, with much of southern Sweden designated high-risk.
Ängelholm, Skåne County, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Ice in the Yenisei Gulf formed a 'dragon-scale' pattern
Strong winds and freezing temperatures in the Yenisei Gulf of the Kara Sea created overlapping, scale-like sea-ice patterns known locally as 'dragon scales.' Photos were shared by the first mate of the nuclear icebreaker Ural.
Yenisei Gulf, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Taymyr Telegraph

Red aurora over Selfoss
A vivid red aurora was photographed over Selfoss around 2 a.m., a rare display caused by oxygen emissions high in the atmosphere. Photos also showed green fringes, with purple and pink hues possible when nitrogen is involved.
Selfoss, Southern Region, Iceland
Morgunblaðið (mbl.is)

An increase in Anchorage wolf encounters sparks curiosity, not alarm
After spotting six wolves on a trail near her home, one Anchorage resident says she's seen the pack multiple times since late August.
Anchorage, 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

Rare Altai Mole Discovered in Khoridol Saridag Strictly Protected Area
A ranger in Mongolia’s Khoridol Saridag Strictly Protected Area found a dead Altai mole (Talpa altaica), a rarely seen species with a restricted range. Though globally listed as Least Concern by IUCN, the species is considered endangered in Mongolia due to habitat loss and disturbance.
Khoridol Saridag Strictly Protected Area, Khuvsgul Province, Mongolia
MONTSAME News Agency

Early, unexpected snowfall hits southern Quebec, causing outages, tough road conditions
Heavy, wet snow and strong winds hit southern Quebec earlier than expected, causing slippery roads, power outages and some school closures. Environment and Climate Change Canada said the system intensified faster than forecasts indicated.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
CBC

Even scientists who’ve studied the aurora for decades say this solar storm is special
A rare series of powerful X-class solar flares and “cannibal” coronal mass ejections produced vivid auroras visible as far south as the Florida Panhandle, with UAF scientists calling it one of the most significant events in years. The storm briefly disrupted monitoring systems and could generate more auroras for days.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
KUAC.org

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