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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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

Windblown volcanic ash headed our way, again
Strong northwest winds are resuspending ash from the 1912 Novarupta-Katmai eruption, prompting an NWS Special Weather Statement for southern Kodiak Island and an aviation advisory up to 6,000 feet. Communities including Karluk, Akhiok, and Larsen Bay may see haze and trace ash; sensitive groups are advised to limit outdoor activity until winds ease Saturday.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

Nearly all domestic flights canceled
Most domestic flights in Iceland were canceled due to weather, affecting about 700 passengers. Icelandair cited strong winds aloft causing turbulence and icing; only early flights to Akureyri and Bíldudalur operated, with conditions expected to improve by tonight or tomorrow.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
Vísir

Extreme drought expands in southern Maine, despite recent rain
Despite late-October rain, extreme drought has expanded across southern and coastal Maine, now covering nearly 43% of the state, including Portland. The National Weather Service says another foot of precipitation is needed before soils freeze to substantially ease conditions.
Portland, Maine, United States
The Portland Press Herald

20°C below zero: Likely the coldest ever on this date
Iceland experienced intense cold overnight, with -19.8°C recorded at Sandskeið around 6 a.m., and meteorologist Einar Sveinbjörnsson says it is likely the coldest 30 October on record. Reykjavík dropped to just over -8°C, and an Icelandic Met Office table showed -20.2°C at Setur south of Hofsjökull overnight.
Sandskeið, Southern Region, Iceland
mbl.is

Greatest snow depth measured in Reykjavík in October
Reykjavík recorded 27 cm of snow at 9:00 on October 28, likely the deepest October snow on record, surpassing the previous 15 cm set in 1921. Heavy snowfall and poor visibility were forecast on the Suðurnes/Reykjanesbraut corridor with 50–75 mm precipitation expected.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
Vísir

Norton Sound issues alert as dust troubles Nome air quality
Norton Sound Health Corporation issued an air quality alert for Nome after PM10 levels exceeded 301 (hazardous) on Oct. 23. Officials cite recent freeze–thaw cycles and dry conditions for the unusual late-October dust; residents are advised to limit outdoor exposure and use N95 masks.
Nome, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

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

Warm air brings unseasonably high temperatures to the Northeast
Unseasonably warm October air is bringing temperatures up to 18°C in northeastern Iceland today, following peaks over 21°C in East Iceland yesterday, driven by a foehn effect. South to southwesterly winds and intermittent rain accompany the warmth, with the east and northeast remaining mostly bright.
Borgarfjörður eystri, East Iceland, Iceland
Iceland Monitor

Fall’s Running Late This Year in Alaska
Autumn is marked by delayed leaf fall and reduced rainfall, with temperatures higher than historical averages, suggesting potential climate shifts.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

New October Record
A temperature of 10.2°C was recorded Tuesday morning at Svalbard Airport, the warmest October reading since measurements began. Mild weather is reported around Longyearbyen.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
Svalbardposten

Storm Amy moves into Sweden
Storm Amy brought hurricane-force gusts at sea and heavy rain to southern and central Sweden, prompting SMHI orange and yellow warnings, transport shutdowns, and widespread power outages. The storm followed severe impacts in Norway and is expected to ease after Sunday, though windy, rainy conditions will persist along the east coast.
Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Mowi blames climate change for latest salmon die-offs on Newfoundland's south coast
Mowi Canada East reports 166,262 farmed salmon died at two sites near Chaleur Bay on Newfoundland’s south coast, blaming repeated sea lice infestations intensified by warm surface waters, low freshwater runoff, and calm winds. The incident follows earlier 2025 mass mortalities linked to a thermocline inversion and warm, low-oxygen conditions.
Chaleur Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
CBC News

More Kings County residents told to evacuate as wildfire grows from two hectares to 300
An out‑of‑control wildfire near Lake George in Kings County, Nova Scotia, surged from 2 to an estimated 300 hectares, prompting expanded evacuation orders around Lake George and Aylesford Lake. Strong winds drove rapid growth as crews deployed aircraft, helicopters, heavy equipment, and structure-protection sprinklers.
Lake George, Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada
PNI Atlantic News

Central Washington fires create hazy, smoky conditions for Spokane
Smoke from Central Washington wildfires pushed into Spokane on Thursday, raising air quality to unhealthy for sensitive groups and likely lingering into Friday. Forecasters cited the Labor Mountain and Lower Sugarloaf fires and gusty winds as primary drivers, with conditions expected to ease slightly Friday.
Wilbur, Washington, United States
The Spokesman-Review

Bright light seen in the sky over Finnmark: “It had incredible speed”
Residents across Finnmark reported a bright, fast-moving light in the sky on Saturday evening, with sightings from Alta, Lakselv, Tana and other places. The nature of the object remains unclear.
Alta, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Century’s Heat Record Broken
A temperature of 29.8 °C was recorded at Egilsstaðir Airport on August 16, 2025, marking the highest August temperature measured in Iceland this century.
Egilsstaðir, Eastern Region, Iceland
Vísir

Evacuation order lifted for St. John's suburb; wildfire destroys Newfoundland school
Residents of Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador, were allowed to return home on August 15 after an evacuation order due to the Paddy’s Pond wildfire was lifted, even as the fire continued to burn and other wildfires raged across Atlantic Canada.
Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
CTV News

Alaska Airlines cancels flights to Nome, Kotzebue due to volcanic ash
The plume is expected to persist in the region for at least 18 hours, according to an advisory issued Tuesday morning.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka Volcano, Russia
Anchorage Daily News

Volcanic Ash Emission Halts Air Service Between Kamchatka and Chukotka
An eruption of ash from the Klyuchevskoy volcano prompted a red aviation alert and suspended flights between Kamchatka and Chukotka on August 11, 2025.
Kamchatka Krai and Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Anadyr Online

Smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting over Finland
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to drift over Finland by Saturday evening, brightening sunsets but not affecting air quality, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle

Wesley Ridge wildfire grows, expected to bring smoke throughout the summer
The Wesley Ridge wildfire near Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island has expanded to nearly 590 hectares, and smoke is expected to linger across the region through the summer.
Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

There was debris spinning: Eyewitness shares close encounter with funnel cloud in Manitoba
Amateur storm chaser Brian Penner captured video of debris spinning as a funnel cloud crossed the road near Dugald and Anola during a violent thunderstorm in southern Manitoba.
Dugald, Manitoba, Canada
CTV News

Prairie smoke chokes Kivalliq
Wildfire smoke drifting east from Saskatchewan and Manitoba prompted air quality advisories across much of the Kivalliq Region but is expected to clear by Thursday.
Kivalliq Region, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Esja snow-free and unusually early
The snow patch at Gunnlaugsskarð in Esja melted out by early August 2025, marking one of the earliest disappearances on record, previously only in July of 1941 and 2010.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland

Smoke advisory issued for Iqaluit, Kinngait and Kimmirut
Environment Canada has issued an air quality advisory for Iqaluit, Kinngait and Kimmirut due to smoke from wildfires in the Prairies, reducing visibility; the smoke is expected to clear Wednesday night.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Extremely rare and dangerous: Pyrocumulus clouds develop near Snow Lake
Pyrocumulus clouds formed near Snow Lake, Manitoba, creating thunderstorm-like conditions that posed significant risks to firefighting efforts against nearby wildfires.
Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada
CTV News

Small Rodent Crash Triggers Crisis for Ptarmigan: Almost All Nests Plundered
On Varanger Peninsula, record low rodent numbers this summer forced predators like crows, gulls, foxes, and jaegers to raid nearly every ground nest, with only 6 of 94 nests surviving, and models predict a further 30% drop in willow ptarmigan in Finnmark.
Varanger Peninsula, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
NRK

Krasheninnikov Volcano Erupts for First Time in 600 Years
Russia’s Krasheninnikov volcano on Kamchatka erupted on August 3, 2025 for the first time in six centuries, following major seismic activity, sending ash up to six kilometers into the sky.
Kamchatka Peninsula, Kamchatka Krai, Russia

Thunderstorms rumble Finland as heat goes on
Warnings for thunderstorms and heavy rain have been issued across many areas of Finland as temperatures above 30 °C persist, with potential for hail, strong gusts and local flooding.
Finland
Yle News

Air quality advisories as heavy smoke blankets Northwest Territories
Dense wildfire smoke has prompted air quality advisories across several Northwest Territories communities, leading to health warnings and the opening of clean-air shelters in Yellowknife and Fort Providence.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Additional Forces to Fight Forest Fire in Western Chukotka
A 99-hectare wildfire 32 km from the village of Anyuysk in Bilibino District is being fought by 20 airborne firefighters, with nine more specialists en route by Mi-8 helicopter.
Anyuysk, Bilibino District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
prochukotku.ru

Forest fire being extinguished 200 kilometers from Bilibino
A wildland fire covering about 94 ha is being fought 200 km southwest of Bilibino in Chukotka, with 20 firefighters, a Mi-8 helicopter, chainsaws, water pumps, and no threat to settlements.
Bilibino, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
ProChukotku

Enormous fire rages in roadless land: 'Waiting for help from the sky'
A 250-hectare lightning-caused wildfire continues to burn in remote forest near Lillselet in Jokkmokk, with firefighters unable to extinguish it until rainfall arrives.
Jokkmokk, Norrbotten, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Heat record from Nesbyen broken – Grong and Namsskogan record 13 consecutive tropical days
Grong and Namsskogan in Trøndelag have logged 13 straight days above 30 °C, breaking the 43-year Nesbyen record, amid a nationwide heatwave.
Grong and Namsskogan, Trøndelag, Norway
NRK

Multiple Forest Fires After Lightning Strikes
Several wildfires broke out across Överkalix and other parts of Norrbotten following a thunderstorm and lightning strikes on July 22, 2025, overwhelming local emergency services.
Överkalix, Norrbotten, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Tyva Declares State of Emergency Over Growing Wildfires
Authorities in Russia’s Tyva Republic declared a state of emergency after eight wildfires grew to over 324 hectares, banning public entry to forests.
Tyva Republic, Russia
The Moscow Times

Hot weather over weekend fuels wildfires in Manitoba
Warm, dry weekend conditions in Manitoba increased wildfire behaviour across nearly all active blazes, prompting evacuations, air quality warnings and challenges for aerial suppression.
Manitoba, Canada

Many have visited health care due to volcanic smog
Many residents sought medical attention for respiratory discomfort and eye irritation caused by volcanic smog and air pollution lingering over Reykjavík and nearby areas.
mbl.is

Smoke 'thick as pea soup': Lake Spokane fire grows to more than 2,000 acres
A wildfire near Lake Spokane in southern Stevens County grew to over 2,000 acres by Sunday, prompting evacuations as thick smoke blanketed the region.
Stevens County, Washington, United States
The Spokesman-Review

Multiple forest fires in the county
Lightning strikes from passing thunderclouds have ignited forest fires in several inland municipalities in Norrbotten County, Sweden, prompting rescue services to work to extinguish them.
Norrbotten County, Sweden
Norrbottens-Kuriren

Icelandic authorities give hazard warnings as fissures spread lava and smoke
New fissures on the Reykjanes Peninsula have sent lava eastward and prompted fresh hazard warnings, with high sulfur dioxide levels and drifting volcanic fibers adding to safety concerns.
Reykjanes Peninsula, Southwest Region, Iceland
Eye on the Arctic

High Lightning Activity in July: Could End Up a Record Year
Norway saw over 241,000 lightning strikes in July—five times more than last year—causing fires, power outages, and heavy workload for line crews, with warnings extending into August.
Norway

Iceland Records Warmest July Since 1933
July 2025 tied with 1933 as Iceland’s warmest July on record, with northeast and east regions averaging up to 14.2 °C and widespread 20 °C days across the country.
Nationwide, Iceland
Iceland Review

Wildfires in Zabaikalsky Region Trigger Evacuations Near Capital City
Wildfires in Far East Russia’s Zabaikalsky region have forced the evacuation of residents near Chita and led to the temporary closure of a federal highway as flames advance toward towns and summer camps.
Chita, Zabaikalsky Region, Russia
The Moscow Times

Dawson City mayor urges people to be prepared as wildfires grow
The mayor of Dawson City, Yukon, advises residents to stay calm and ready with evacuation plans as the Quebec Creek and Mount Leotta wildfires approach community outskirts.
Dawson City, Yukon, Canada
CBC News

Six Greenlandic Heat Records Set in Spring
DMI reports that six record‐high spring temperatures were set across Greenland in spring 2025, including an unprecedented average of –24.8 °C at Summit Station and a 16.9 °C high in Nuuk.
Summit Station, Greenland Ice Sheet, Greenland
Sermitsiaq.AG

Canadian fine particulate plagues Reykjavík residents
Levels of fine particulate matter have risen in Reykjavík, likely due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, prompting health advisories for those with respiratory issues.
Reykjavík, Iceland
visir.is

Fairbanks is under a Weather Service heat advisory. That's a first for Alaska.
The National Weather Service has issued its first-ever heat advisory for Alaska, covering Fairbanks as temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-80s this weekend.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Out-of-control wildfire near Port Alberni grows to 15 hectares, believed to be human-caused
A human-caused wildfire on Nahamint Mountain south of Sproat Lake grew overnight from about 10 to 15 hectares, remaining out of control as BC Wildfire Service crews and helicopters respond.
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Wildfires in the Prairies Having Impact on Air Quality in Several Provinces
Smoke from wildfires burning in the Canadian Prairies is degrading air quality in northeastern British Columbia, prompting Environment Canada to issue special air quality statements and advise residents to limit outdoor exposure.
Northeastern British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Where's all this smoke coming into Yellowknife from?
Smoke drifting into Yellowknife on May 29, 2025, mainly originated from wildfires in Alberta, with additional smoke forecast from northern British Columbia, according to FireSmoke Canada projections.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Wildfires Tear Across Russia's Far East
Authorities in Buryatia have declared a state of emergency as rapidly spreading wildfires, blamed on human activity, devastate the Zabaikalsky region and the Republic of Buryatia, producing heavy smoke and burning homes.
Buryatia, Siberia, Russia
The Moscow Times

Tree pollen counts in Anchorage are the highest they’ve been in almost a decade
Anchorage is experiencing the highest tree pollen counts in nearly a decade, with counts reaching thousands of grains per cubic meter from birch, poplar, cottonwood, aspen, willow, and alder, triggering widespread allergy symptoms.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

The ‘Hole-in-the-Ground Girl’ investigates an interesting phenomenon
UAF graduate student Leanne Bulger may take an even deeper look into the mysterious hole in the ground that is likely one of many developing all over Alaska.

Fireball streaks across Alaska skies
A bright fireball was captured streaking across the Southcentral Alaska sky on the morning of April 24, 2025, visible for about six seconds before disappearing behind trees.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

Thunder and Lightning Strike Across Southern Iceland
Capital area residents experienced an unexpected display of lightning followed by a powerful thunder clap as stormy conditions gripped southern Iceland.
Iceland Review

Warm winter weather wears down Interior Alaska
Warm winter weather and rain in Alaska triggered avalanches and hazardous roads, with the Parks Highway being closed due to avalanche debris near Cantwell.
Cantwell, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Tidal action and fierce winds flood low-lying areas of Kwigillingok
On January 10, 2025, Kwigillingok experienced significant flooding due to strong tidal action and fierce winds, leading to a flood advisory and a federal disaster declaration for past damages.
Kwigillingok, Alaska, United States
KYUK

In the continental region on Friday down to minus 53 degrees
On December 27, Chukotka will experience cloudy weather with patches of clearing, and temperatures may drop to minus 53 degrees in the continental region.
Chukotka, Far Eastern Federal District, Russia
Chukotka News

Police Urge Nuuk Residents to Stay Indoors
Police in Nuuk warn residents to stay indoors due to a storm causing vehicles to be blown off roads, with bus services suspended until further notice.
Nuuk, Greenland
Sermitsiaq

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