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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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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
NRK
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
NRK

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
NRK

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
Lapin Kansa

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

Wind tore down power poles – 80 customers without electricity
Severe winds in Nordkapp knocked down high‑voltage poles, leaving about 80 customers in Repvåg without power. Crews are splitting the line and using generators to restore electricity, with Repvågstranda expected back on the grid shortly.
Repvåg, Nordkapp, Norway
iFinnmark

Suspected leak from ship that ran aground off Tjeldsund
About 4,000 liters of diesel leaked from the grounded landing craft M/S Sørøysund near Fjelldal in Tjeldsund. Emergency crews are pumping fuel off the vessel and have deployed absorbent booms; authorities do not currently fear major impacts to wildlife.
Fjelldal, Tjeldsund, Norway
Kari Anne Skoglund; Tora Jarnæs Vold; Malin Straumsnes

“The birch trees in Fossvogur are now in very bad shape”
Record late-October snowfall in Reykjavík snapped many trees in Fossvogskirkjugarður cemetery, with birch hit hardest. Cleanup is underway and may take weeks; damage also occurred in Gufunes and Hólavallagarður cemeteries.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
mbl.is

100 reindeer went through the ice – at least 20 died
Around one hundred reindeer broke through thin ice at Mierojávri, north of Kautokeino; at least 20 drowned. Rescuers had to abort because the ice was too thin to walk on and too thick to use their boat.
Kautokeino, Troms og Finnmark, Norway

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