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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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Orcas challenge the Bering Sea’s black cod industry
Orcas are starting to show new feeding behaviors around large trawler nets. They’re trying to steal fish caught in nets that are typically being hauled back. Scientists aren’t sure why orcas are doing this, but it’s dangerous for them because it increases their chances of getting caught in the net and dying.The problem is so bad that some fishermen have decided to skip fishing for black cod this year.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Alaskans drawn to alpine lakes for ‘once-in-a-decade’ ice skating conditions
Alaskans are taking advantage of rare ice skating conditions on alpine lakes in Chugach State Park, with hundreds of people hiking into the backcountry to skate on smooth ice in the shadow of iconic peaks.
Rabbit Lake, Alaska
Anchorage Daily News

Black bear shot dead while trying to get into tent near Portage campgrounds
A black bear was fatally shot by federal officials after attempting to break into an occupied tent near Portage campgrounds in Alaska, following a recent similar incident that injured a woman.
Portage Creek, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Anchorage hits 100-inch winter snow total at earliest date on record
A storm that started Sunday and largely tailed off by Monday afternoon had dropped nearly 17 inches on the city by evening to establish the new seasonal snowfall total, according to the National Weather Service. The storm closed schools in Anchorage and Mat-Su on Monday, and contributed to a fatal collision on the Parks Highway.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Grizzly bear spotted close to Kotzebue
While Northwest Arctic residents encounter bears year-round, such sightings are not common in Kotzebue this time of year, Cantine said. Charlie Henry Jr., an Elder from Kotzebue, agreed: “That is so strange — brown bear in the middle part of the coldest months.”
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Musk ox killed in Kotzebue after it posed a threat to residents
Earlier on Monday, Maniilaq Association notified Kotzebue residents about the musk ox in a Facebook post, saying that the animal was “roaming around the Kotzebue area, last sighted near ‘old’ teacher housing on the lagoon.” Health officials asked residents to not approach or agitate the animal and to keep their dogs under control.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Hatcher Pass Road opens for summer, but with winter lingering
The Hatcher Pass Road in Alaska has opened for the summer season, but deep snow remains at higher elevations, with crews spending the last week digging out the road over the pass before opening it.
Palmer, Alaska, United States

Fuel vault at Anchorage medical campus believed to be source of University Lake oil spill
Oil from a nearby fuel container leaked through the water system in the lake most likely due to heavy rains of the past month. Cleanup efforts were ongoing this week. It’s not clear when the park will reopen.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Ice storm hits Pacific Northwest as East and South face bitter cold
A power line fell on a car in Portland, killing three people and injuring a baby during an ice storm that turned roads and mountain highways treacherous in the Pacific Northwest.
Portland, Oregon, United States

Caribou arrive in the Northwest Arctic region
The Western Arctic Caribou Herd has been declining for years, and the migration patterns of the animals have been changing. In several locations in Northwest Alaska, caribou have been arriving later and later in the season. Friday last week, people in Kotzebue finally started seeing caribou — hundreds of them ― crossing the Kotzebue Sound north of town, coming from the Noatak riverside. Ice conditions are one of the reasons for the caribou’s late migration, said Thomas Baker, chair of the Northwest Arctic Subsistence Regional Advisory Council.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Wondering where the fish have gone
With a bleak salmon return this year in Northwest Alaska, a lifelong fisherman reflects on a season marked by empty nets and big questions.

Humpback whale nearly knocks paddler off board near Whittier
Stand up paddle boarder near miss with humpback whale in Prince William Sound.
Whittier, Alaska, United States

Relentless rain floods towns in Northeast, prompting evacuations and rescues
Rescue teams raced into Vermont on Monday after heavy rain drenched parts of the Northeast, washing out roads, forcing evacuations and halting some airline travel. One person was killed in New York as she was trying to leave her home. Officials say the storm has already wrought tens of millions of dollars in damage.
Arlington, Vermont, United States

Houston man injured in moose trampling outside his home
A Houston man was injured by a moose near his home, an unusual event linked to increased moose aggression due to harsh winter conditions.
Houston, Alaska, United States

DOT to evaluate cracks on Kivalina evacuation road
Kivalina residents report cracks on the sides of the recently built evacuation road which connects the village to the storm refuge site and the school. The team with the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities plans to visit the village and assess the damages at the end of August.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States

Anchorage has seen the windiest June so far in more than 50 years. Is more wind in our future?
The first half of June was Anchorage’s windiest in more than 50 years, the result of an unusually stormy spring in Alaska.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

‘Unseasonably strong’ storm bringing heavy winds, rain to parts of Southcentral Alaska
An unusually strong storm for this time of year was bringing rain and heavy winds to parts of Southcentral Alaska on Sunday.

Atmospheric river triggers flood watch for Anchorage and broad swath of Southcentral Alaska
Forecasters say they are measuring near-record moisture in a storm system expected to bring heavy rain and wind to the region, ramping up Friday night and into Saturday.

July was Utqiaġvik’s warmest month in the past century
The average temperature in July was 48.4 degrees — 6.7 degrees above normal, with 11 hot days in a row. Such extreme warmth can accelerate the greening and permafrost thaw on the North Slope.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

First fall storm of the year damages road in Utqiagvik
The storm brought winds up to 40 mph to communities from Wainwright to Kaktovik, weather officials said. High waves damaged a road in Utqiagvik, affecting around five houses, residents reported.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

State wildlife officials trying to revive Southwest Alaska caribou killed almost 100 brown bears in less than a month
A total of 94 brown bears, five black bears and five wolves were killed in the program that began May 10 and ended June 4, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said this week. That’s more than four times the number biologists predicted would be taken. State biologists also say disease and changing food supplies might be a bigger factor overall.
Dillingham, Alaska, United States

Southwest U.S. to bake in first heat wave of season, and records may fall with highs topping 110
The Southwest U.S. is experiencing its first heat wave of the season with temperatures soaring to potentially record-breaking highs over 110°F, posing risks to residents and prompting heat warnings.
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Anchorage Daily News/ Associated Press

McDonald Fire remains west of Tanana River
The McDonald Fire has grown to over 39,000 acres west of the Tanana River, with statewide fires consuming 72,000 acres; critical fire danger and smoke advisories are in effect.
West of the Tanana River, Alaska
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Warm temps and wind fan Interior fires
An evacuation alert was also issued Friday for residents of the Lower Salcha River, from river mile 3 to 40. The Middle Salcha remains under a SET status, from river
Salcha, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

DOC warning after mass stranding deaths
A pod of about 45 false killer whales and bottlenose dolphins stranded on Sunday afternoon at Taylor’s Bay on Mahia Peninsula.The Department of Conservation is warning water-goers to be cautious near Mahia peninsula as the remains of stranded whales and dolphins may attract sharks.
Bahia Peninsula
Otago Daily Times Online News

Warm waters prompt fishing permit suspensions
The sale of fishing permits has been suspended for two sites where water temperatures have risen to critically high levels, especially for salmon.
Salo, Southwest Finland, Finland
News

Finland records 71st 'hot' day this year
Meteorologists recorded a high temperature of 25.2 degrees Celsius (77 F) in the eastern town of Lappeenranta, marking the city's 40th 'hot' day this year, according to Yle forecaster Anne Borgström.
Lappeenranta, South Karelia, Finland
News

Lapland seeing high waters, unusually heavy snow
Unusually heavy rains in Lapland have caused water levels to rise near flood levels, and further rises will depend on temperatures over the next few days, with climate change being a contributing factor.
Enontekiö, Lapland, Finland
News

Body of 12-year-old avalanche victim recovered in Finnish Lapland
A mother and child lost their lives in an avalanche on Tuesday while skiing at Pallastunturi in northwestern Finnish Lapland.
Korsnäs, Ostrobothnia, Finland

Storm Hans causes power cuts in Finland
Southern parts of the country can expect showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday, with more severe storms possibly hitting central areas by evening.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland

Bird flu confirmation prompts cull at 10 more fur farms
The Food Authority noted that it might be possible that foxes are more susceptible to avian flu infections than mink. However, the agency also suggested that infection prevention protocols may not have worked as well at fox farms compared to facilities that raise mink. The authority has now confirmed avian influenza cases at a total of 42 fur farms in Finland.
Laihia, Ostrobothnia, Finland

Warmest June on Record
Temperatures in Finland last month were between 1.5 and 3.5 degrees Celsius warmer than normal in most parts of the country.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland

Finland's bilberry harvests mediocre at best, nature institute forecasts
Frost exposure and poor pollination are behind expectations for a less than ideal season, according to research institute Luke. Bilberry patches at particular risk are in the regions of South Karelia, Kainuu, Keminmaa, Ylitornio, as well as certain areas of Central and South Ostrobothnia.
Lappeenranta, South Karelia, Finland

All it takes is one spark - high risk of forest fires throughout Finland
One spark was all it took. The driver of the forest harvester was working a logging site at Renko in Kanta-Häme. The grapple of the machine hit a stone, throwing a spark that set the underbrush ablaze.
Renko, Häme, Finland

Finland sweats as temperatures approach summer highs
Finland is experiencing warm and sunny weather with temperatures ranging between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, and an advisory for strong ultraviolet radiation has been issued for the south and southwest.
Turku, Southwest Finland, Finland

Contaminated drinking water a growing problem
Heavier rains and aging distribution networks are triggering more cases of public water supply contamination. The local utility takes water from the Esse River for processing and distribution. Because of recent heavy rains and strong runoff, it contains an unusually high level of solid matter.
Jakobstad, Ostrobothnia, Finland

Bird flu detected on Finnish fur farms for the first time
The exact virus type is still being determined, but measures are being taken to protect workers and prevent transmission to humans.
Kaustinen, Central Ostrobothnia, Finland

Heavy rain heading towards Finland on Thursday
Early March's relatively mild start will get wetter in southern areas on Thursday, when a significant amount of rainfall is expected — with up to a full centimetre expected in western areas.
Finland

Elk swims to island in Finnish archipelago, first sighting in 40 years
An elk was spotted swimming to the island of Utö in the Finnish archipelago, marking the first sighting of the animal in 40 years.
Utö, Finland

May was record warm and dry
May was also exceptionally dry in many areas. According to the FMI, Savukoski, a village in eastern Lapland, recorded the most rainfall last month with 59.4 millimeters.
Finland

Emergency services tackle wildfires across Finland over the weekend, FMI expands fire warnings
Firefighters dealt with about 20 blazes on Sunday alone, as dry conditions and strong winds heighten risks of forest and brush fires getting out of control.
Merijärvi, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland

Up to five inches of rain brings landslide, road flooding
An East Hillcrest Ave. home was damaged in a mudslide brought by heavy rains Thursday afternoon.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

Tustumena Lake fire reported 25% contained
The Tustumena Lake fire in Alaska is 25% contained, with efforts including smokejumpers and over 56,000 gallons of water deployed to combat the 35-acre blaze.
Tustumena Lake, Alaska, United States
Homer News

2 more seals admitted to SeaLife Center
Two harbor seal pups, one from Naknek and another from Wrangell, were recently rescued and are receiving care at the Alaska SeaLife Center due to malnourishment and other health issues.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Homer News

Edinburgh Waverley power cut adds to Storm Ciaran rail disruption
A power cut at Edinburgh Waverley station adds to rail disruption caused by Storm Ciaran in Scotland, with speed restrictions and cancellations in place on various routes.
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
BBC News

Papua New Guinea says Friday's landslide buried more than 2,000 people and formally asks for help
A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea buried over 2,000 people, prompting the government to seek international aid amidst challenges posed by unreliable census data and the destruction of a main highway.
AP News

Thousands are feared dead and thousands more are missing in flood-ravaged eastern Libya
Emergency workers uncovered more than 1,500 bodies in the wreckage of Libya’s eastern city of Derna, and it was feared the toll could surpass 5,000 after floodwaters smashed through dams and washed away entire neighborhoods of the city.
Derna, Libya
AP News

Warning Scotland faces threat of water shortages
Environment agency Sepa said every part of the country had now reached some level of water scarcity. The weather conditions could last until early July and followed a drier than usual winter and spring. In May, Scotland only received 44% of its long-term average rainfall.
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
BBC News

Powerful earthquakes leave at least 55 dead, destroy buildings along Japan's western coast
Damage was so great that it could not immediately be assessed. Japanese media reports said tens of thousands of homes were destroyed.
輪島市, Ishikawa, Japan
AP News

New Hampshire resident dies after testing positive for mosquito-borne encephalitis virus
A New Hampshire resident's death from EEE prompts concerns over the virus's spread, leading to nighttime outdoor activity bans in Massachusetts towns.
Hampstead, New Hampshire, United States

Narwhals deemed ‘not at risk’ by wildlife committee
While the population increased, the assessment did find that narwhals are sensitive to sound from boats and move away from boat traffic, Mike Hammill, the co-chair of COSEWIC’s marine mammals subcommittee, told Nunatsiaq News. Previously the species was listed as being of “special concern.”
Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

2nd seal pup rescued in Kenai, ASLC now caring for 4
A second seal pup has been rescued on Kenai Beach, marking the fourth such case for the Alaska SeaLife Center's Wildlife Response Program.
Kenai, Alaska, United States
Homer News

No other polar bears in Kuujjuaq after Tuesday’s incident, police say
Police confirm no further polar bear sightings in Kuujjuaq following the shooting of a young bear in the town center, with ongoing vigilance for potential wildlife threats.
Kuujjuaq, Quebec, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Thousands of tons of dead sardines wash ashore in northern Japan
The sardines and some mackerel washed ashore in Hakodate on Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Thursday morning, creating a sliver blanket along a stretch of beach about a kilometer (0.6 mile) long. Takashi Fujioka, a Hakodate Fisheries Research Institute said the fish may have been chased by larger fish, become exhausted due to a lack of oxygen while moving in a densely packed school, and were washed up by the waves.
Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan

Heatwave hits Nunavut with ‘astounding’ temperatures
A heatwave is hitting Kitikmeot and Kivalliq communities this week bringing temperatures above 30 C (86 F), twice as high as the average temperature for these regions at this time of year.
Baker Lake, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Storm Ciarán eases but flood warnings remain
Storm Ciara has weakened but flood warnings remain in place in Wales and other parts of the UK, with heavy rain expected to cause further flooding and disruption.
Tenby, Wales, United Kingdom
BBC News

'Superfog' near New Orleans blamed for highway crashes that killed at least 7
Authorities say at least seven people have been killed after a “superfog” of smoke from south Louisiana marsh fires and dense fog caused multiple massive car crashes involving 158 vehicles.
Manchac, Louisiana

1 dead as blizzard bears down on Kivalliq
The storm brought powerful wind gusts to communities in the Kivalliq region that topped 100 km/h and resulted in whiteout conditions. Temperatures fell to -20 C but felt closer to -40 C, factoring in the wind chill, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Videos and photos posted to social media appeared to show damage to some buildings and other infrastructure, including the roof of Simon Alaittuq Middle School Rankin Inlet.
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada

Amber rain warning extended for north and east of Scotland
An amber rain warning has been extended for the north and east of Scotland, causing severe flooding and travel disruptions, with the Scottish government urging people to heed travel warnings and take precautions. Some areas have seen up to a month's worth of rain in a 24-hour period resulting in heavy flooding across much of the rail network.
Dumbarton, Scotland, United Kingdom

Tornado hits Michigan, killing toddler, while Ohio and Maryland storms injure at least 13
It has been a grim spring for tornadoes in the U.S. April had the second-highest number of tornadoes for that month on record in the country. While tornadoes are not unheard of in Maryland, they are relatively rare — especially outbreaks of the volume seen Wednesday night.
Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Catalonia Hits Record High Temperatures Amidst Heat Wave
Historical heat records shattered as temperatures soar above 45°C, prompting government precautions.
Darnius, Catalonia, Spain
Zenger News

Stranded luxury cruise ship MV Ocean Explorer is pulled free at high tide in Greenland
Another attempt to pull free a luxury cruise ship with 206 people that ran aground in the world’s northernmost national park has failed after trying to use the high tide.
Alpefjord, Greenland

California officials confirm 2 cases of dengue, a mosquito-borne illness rarely transmitted in US
Public health officials say two people in Southern California people have come down with dengue fever without traveling outside the United States, where the mosquito-borne illness is rare.
Long Beach, California, United States

Hurricane Beryl is a historic storm. Here's why.
Hurricane Ivan in 2004 was the last strong hurricane to hit the southeastern Caribbean, causing catastrophic damage in Grenada as a Category 3 storm. Hurricane Beryl lashed the southeastern Caribbean as a Category 4 storm — an unprecedented strength this early in the Atlantic season. Beryl amassed its strength from record-warm waters that are hotter now than they would be at the peak of hurricane season in September, he said.
Bridgetown, Saint Michael, Barbados
CBS News

A warming island's mice are breeding out of control and eating seabirds. An extermination is planned
The past few decades have been the most significant for the damage the mice have caused, said Dr. Anton Wolfaardt, the Mouse-Free Marion project manager. He said their numbers have increased hugely, mainly due to rising temperatures from climate change, which has turned a cold, windswept island into a warmer, drier, more hospitable home.
Marian, Prince Edward Islands

A massive blizzard howls in the Sierra Nevada. High winds and heavy snow close roads and ski resorts
A powerful blizzard raged in the Sierra Nevada as the biggest storm of the season shut down a long stretch of I-80 in California.
Truckee, California, United States

Power restored in Pangnirtung; mayor grateful for ‘community spirit’ during lengthy outage
Things were returning to normal in Pangnirtung on Monday after an extreme winter storm left parts of the community without electricity for close to four days.
Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada

Massachusetts city got nearly 10 inches of rain in 6 hours, flooding homes and eroding dams
Heavy rainfall has flooded parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with one city declaring a state of emergency.
Rhode Island and Massachusetts, United States

Crews battle wildfires across the US West and fight to hold containment lines
Wildfires across the western United States and Canada have put millions of people under air quality alerts, as thousands of firefighters battle the flames.
Cohasset, California, United States

Southern Brazil is still reeling from massive flooding as it faces risk from new storms
Southern Brazil is grappling with severe flooding, with further storms and heavy rains forecasted, causing widespread displacement and damage.
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Blizzard leads to four-day power outage in Akulivik
KRG’s civil security director Craig Lingard said that in the last decade or so, “we have seen increased snowfall, even more so on the Hudson coast communities.”
Akulivik, Quebec

Inverness to Wick train services disrupted after sea wall damaged
Train services between Inverness and Wick in Scotland have been disrupted after a sea wall protecting the railway line was damaged by stormy weather and high tides, with engineers currently assessing the extent of the damage.
Dunbeath, Scotland, United Kingdom

Mountain lion killed on island; first Southeast sighting since 1998
A mountain lion was shot on Wrangell Island, marking the first sighting in Southeast Alaska since 1998, prompting an investigation by local authorities.
Wrangell, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Rocky Mountain spotted fever outbreak in Campinas, São Paulo State
The Ministry of Health confirms the occurrence of three deaths from Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in Campinas/São Paulo, referring to an outbreak in the municipality.
Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Outbreak News Today

Previously Unknown Gas Seeps Discovered along Aleutian Trench
A NOAA Ocean Exploration-led team has discovered what appears to be evidence of a large gas seep at a depth of nearly 1.4 miles (2,300 meters) along the Aleutian Trench. The discovery was found in data collected during the Seascape Alaska 1: Aleutians Deepwater Mapping expedition.
Adak, Alaska, United States
Alaska Native News

H5 avian influenza detected for the first time in elephant seals
NewsDesk @bactiman63 The National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa)  confirmed new cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5 detected in marine mammals in Comodoro Rivadavia, Rada Tilly and Punta Tombo, Chubut. The agency’s National Laboratory diagnosed new samples positive for the disease, which were taken from sea lions and elephant seals found dead in the aforementioned places. Based on notification, […]
Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut Province, Argentina
Outbreak News Today

B.C. weather: 149-year-old temperature record broken amid heat wave
British Columbia experienced a historic heat wave, breaking 34 additional temperature records, some over a century old, with more heat anticipated in the interior regions.
British Columbia, Canada
CVT News Vancouver

Dead fish washing up on shores of Lake Washington
The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife said the fish are yellow perch, which are common in the lake.
Hunts Point, Washington, United States
KIRO 7 News Seattle

Water Shortage Forces Capri Island to Close Doors to Tourists
Capri Island halts tourist entry due to a major water shortage crisis. Learn about the emergency measures and efforts to restore water supply.
Capri, Campania, Italy
Focus on Travel News - ftnnews.com

Thousands of Utah turkeys die after being infected with avian flu in Sanpete County
Thousands of turkeys in Sanpete County, Utah, have died from highly pathogenic avian influenza, leading to the quarantine and depopulation of the affected farm, with concerns about the potential impact on turkey sales during the upcoming holiday season.
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU)

Russia reports the snowiest winter in the last decades
The current winter can be classified as abnormal and the snowiest in recent decades, the scientific director of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center, Roman Vilfand.
Moscow, Moscow, Russia
Prensa Latina - Latin American News Agency

Stanley declared a temporary control zone as first case of avian flu confirmed
Stanley, Falkland Islands, establishes a temporary control zone following the confirmation of its first avian flu case.
Stanley, Falkland Islands
Falklands Radio • Broadcasting news and entertainment to the Falkland Islands

Cambodia records 2nd death from H5N1 bird flu so far this year
A 50-year-old man in Cambodia has died from H5N1 bird flu, marking the second death from the virus in the country this year. Prior to his death about 50 chickens had died and were shared with neighbors to eat.
Cambodia

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