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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

Yukon fire season 'normal' so far, with major fires unlikely in coming weeks, officials say
Yukon likely won't see any major wildfires for at least the next month, emergency officials said at a briefing on Thursday.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Last year’s record outburst flood took Juneau by surprise. As Suicide Basin refills, scientists are working to improve their forecasts.
Scientists are enhancing flood forecasts in Juneau as Suicide Basin refills, following an unexpected record flood last year caused by rapid drainage.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Permafrost thaw impacts are wide, but not climate tipping point: study
A study finds that while permafrost thaw in the North is causing local and regional changes, it is not a global climate tipping point.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
Eye on the Arctic

Anchorage stretch of sub-60 degree days was third longest
Anchorage experienced its third-longest streak of sub-60 degree days, despite Alaska's spring temperatures being normal by recent standards but cooler than historical averages.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Green crabs to choke cherry trees, invasive species infesting Alaska
Invasive species like green crabs and choke cherry trees are causing environmental and economic harm in Alaska.
Alaska, United States

Seabird demonstration: Eider populations continue to decline along the coast – scientists don't know why
Eider populations along the Norwegian coast have declined by up to 80%, with a nationwide decrease of 35-40%, and the reasons remain unknown.
Norway
NRK

Qawalangin Tribe works to reintroduce blue mussels as safe local food source
While blue mussels are a traditional source of subsistence food in Unalaska, in recent years, reduced numbers and concerns about paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP, have limited the amount locals can safely harvest.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
KUCB

How do chum salmon spend the winter?
Recent surveys reveal that chum salmon face challenges during winter in the Gulf of Alaska, with conditions like marine heatwaves affecting their diet and survival, leading to increased mortality rates.
Gulf of Alaska
The Nome Nugget

Western Alaska tribes, outraged by bycatch, turn up the heat on fishery managers and trawlers
The years-long debate is taking on increasing urgency as subsistence harvesting bans continue and the policy responses under consideration threaten to impose steep costs on the industry.
Nulato, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Canada, Alaska suspend fishing of Yukon River chinook salmon for 7 years
Canada and Alaska have agreed to a seven-year fishing moratorium on Yukon River chinook salmon to aid the species' recovery, following years of declining numbers.
Yukon River, Alaska
CBC

The Spring Crust Snow Conundrum
In past years observers reported on changes in the timing of when spring crust snow develops in Glen Alps. This year the crust is developing at lower elevation(s) but not at Glen Alps. Is it spring in Anchorage and still winter in the Chugach?
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Spring bank erosion and icicle formation
LEO Member Jeffrey Luther has been documenting erosion along the Noatak River for many years. His drone footage this spring captures new bank erosion features and icicle formations.
Noatak, Alaska, United States

Invasion of the Crossbills
Never before seen such huge flocks of white winged cross bills
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Nome and the region hit with back-to-back snow storms
Three weeks in a row, residents of Nome and the Southern Seward Peninsula Coast received winter storm warnings from the National Weather Service. Seven out of the last eight springs have been unusually stormy. This spring alone, since March, there have been eight significant storm days.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Kuskokwim River breakup floods roads, impacts drinking water for some communities
The Kuskokwim River breakup has led to widespread flooding, affecting roads and drinking water in several communities, with Kwethluk experiencing significant impacts.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

10-mile Lower Kuskokwim ice jam causes flooding, high water
A 10-mile ice jam on the Lower Kuskokwim River has caused severe flooding in Tuluksak, with the area experiencing its worst flooding in over a decade.
Aniak, Alaska, United States

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

Anchorage winter ties for second snowiest on record but hitting all-time mark unlikely
A whopping 132.6 inches of snow -- more than 11 feet -- fell on the city this winter, as of the latest measurement Friday.

NOAA responds to entangled whale in Unalaska's Iliuliuk Bay
Authorities are gathering images and information to coordinate helping an entangled humpback in Unalaska’s Iliuliuk Bay.
Dutch Harbor, Alaska, United States

Close encounters with curious Juneau killer whale a reminder of city's wild nature
Before she knew what was happening, a large female killer whale lifted Bloom’s paddleboard up out of the water. “And at that moment it was like terror,” Bloom said.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

For one Utqiaġvik family, spring bowhead whaling marks an important milestone
The article describes a Utqiagvik family's significant milestone in catching the first bowhead whale of the spring season, amidst challenges posed by climate change affecting sea ice stability.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Far East Russia’s Sakha Declares Wildfire Emergency
Sakha is now the fourth region in the Far East where a state of emergency is currently in place due to wildfires. The other three are the Zabaykalsky and Amur regions, as well as the republic of Buryatia. Russia’s wildfire season officially began in early March. By mid-April, regions in the Far East recorded nearly twice as many fires as they had during the same period last year, with most blazes caused by human negligence.
Yakutsk, Sakha, Russia
The Moscow Times

Partial Dam Collapse in Siberia’s Tomsk Region as River Swells
The swelling Tom River in southwestern Siberia has led to a partial dam collapse in the city of Tomsk. This year’s heavy rainfall, combined with abnormally warm spring weather, has led to severe flooding in Russia’s Urals and western Siberia. So far, the floods have submerged around 15,600 homes and 28,000 land plots in 193 Russian towns and cities across 33 regions.
Tomsk, Tomsk, Russia
The Moscow Times

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

Evacuees from Fort Nelson in northeast B.C. escape raging wildfire
Residents of Fort Nelson, B.C., are urged to evacuate immediately due to a rapidly escalating wildfire, exacerbated by high winds and continuous drought conditions.
Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
CBC

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
AP News

'There's no water': This duck hunter in Fort Smith, N.W.T., went out and found no ducks
A duck hunter in Fort Smith, N.W.T., found his usual hunting grounds dried up and devoid of wildlife due to recent wildfires and record-low water levels.
Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada

Third person in US tests positive for bird flu in connection to outbreak in dairy cattle
A third person in the US has tested positive for bird flu linked to an outbreak in dairy cattle, indicating possible cow-to-human transmission.
Michigan, United States
CNN

Remnants of the bird flu virus have been found in pasteurized milk, the FDA says
The FDA found pasteurized milk containing inactive bird flu virus remnants from infected dairy cows, but maintains the milk supply is safe.
United States
NPR

The parasite Kudoa transforms coastal cod into an unrecognizable mucus lump
The parasite Kudoa is causing trouble for the fishing industry in the southern hemisphere. By chance, researchers found the scary parasite in coastal cod from the Helgeland coast.
Hægeland, Agder, Norway
NRK

Strong pollen spread in Eastern Norway
Extreme pollen spread in Eastern Norway is causing significant discomfort for allergy sufferers due to a combination of a long winter, delayed spring, and sudden warm, dry weather.
Norway
NRK

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