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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

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

Low water makes fall travel on the Mackenzie River hazardous for hunters
Prolonged drought has driven Mackenzie River levels near Fort Simpson, N.W.T., to historic lows, turning a community boat launch into a sandbar and making fall hunting by river hazardous. A territorial hydrologist cites climate change, El Niño, and upstream dams as contributors, while local leaders urge stronger action and monitoring.
Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Extreme drought conditions leave N.L. homesteader adapting to a lower water supply
A homesteader near Mobile on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula is hauling water from a pond as extreme drought leaves his well near empty. He’s seeing impacts on livestock and bees, and calls for government support to build community resilience.
Mobile, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
CBC News

Southern Ontario Rain Variations / Drought Conditions
Southern Ontario is experiencing unusual rainfall variations and drought conditions, leading to the longest dry streak since 2021, which has severely impacted crop yields, food security, and local ecosystems.
Tyendinaga, Ontario

Salmon wait for more rain as river levels remain low
Low river levels on Vancouver Island are delaying pink salmon migration in the Tsolum River and Millard Creek, leading to stranded fish and an estimated 4,000 mortalities. Salmon groups say sustained fall rains are needed; limited Wolf Lake releases are temporarily boosting Tsolum flows.
Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Extreme drought grips parts of Maine as lengthy dry spell worsens
More than 5% of Maine is now in extreme drought and about 58% in severe drought, covering all of southern and coastal areas. Forecasters expect little to no rain through early next week, with potential showers later but uncertainty about meaningful relief.
Augusta, Maine, United States
The Portland Press Herald

Pumpkins this year might be a little punier than you're used to, depending where you go
As leaves start to turn and fall settles in slowly but surely, farmers in the region say the size of pumpkins and health of other crops will vary greatly depending on how much rain a particular area got.
London, Ontario, Canada
CBC

With N.S. brooks and streams drying up, some fish are struggling
A provincewide drought in Nova Scotia has dried up brooks and streams, stranding trout and white suckers and stressing native fish, while a woods ban limits access to assess impacts. Warmer water favors invasive chain pickerel, and restoration work is paused; Atlantic salmon migration is also being blocked by low flows.
Cambridge, Nova Scotia, Canada
CBC News

Low water impacting salmon run
The Chinook salmon run in the Napanee River is being impacted by unusually low water levels.
Napanee, Ontario, Canada

Low Water Levels in the Mackenzie River
Unusually low waters in the Mackenzie River during late summer 2025, disrupting traditional and commercial river transport and indicating a shift from riverbed to riparian areas.
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada

Water Shortage in Southern Sweden – Well Driller Overwhelmed
Low groundwater levels from spring rainfall deficits have left many wells on the Varaslätten plain in southern Sweden dry, prompting water shortage warnings in 14 counties and overwhelming local well drillers.
Varaslätten, Västra Götaland, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Severe Drought Threatens 25% of Crops in Russia’s Agricultural Heartland
Worsening drought in southern Russia’s Rostov and Krasnodar regions could wipe out up to 25% of key grain and oilseed crops, prompting states of emergency in 30 districts.
Rostov and Krasnodar Regions, Southern Russia, Russia
The Moscow Times

No doubt there's a drought — scientist says N.L. water levels are historically low
Water levels across Newfoundland are at record lows due to an ongoing drought and rising temperatures driven by climate change, leading to river closures and drying wells.
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

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

“Bathe in the sea” – how tourists view the water shortage on Gotland
Tourists on Gotland are adapting to a historic water shortage by bathing in the sea and limiting shower time after Region Gotland warns groundwater levels have fallen to record lows.
Gotland, Gotland County, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Mosquitoes almost gone in many places due to drought
Prolonged drought in July dried up small ponds that mosquito larvae depend on, leading to an almost mosquito-free summer in Flisa and other parts of Norway.
Flisa, Innlandet, Norway
NRK

Whitehorse saw driest June in nearly a century
Whitehorse recorded its lowest June precipitation since records began in 1941, leading to extremely dry conditions but stopping short of an official drought.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

Wildfires in Zabaikalsky Region Spread Rapidly Amid Strong Wind and Dry Weather
Strong winds and dry weather are fueling rapidly spreading wildfires across Russia’s Zabaikalsky region, with over 456,000 hectares burning and firefighters racing to protect populated areas.
Zabaikalsky region, Far East Russia, Russia
The Moscow Times

Snow shortage in the mountains – guests get refunds from Skistar at three resorts
Faced with unusually mild conditions and a snow-poor season, Skistar has activated its snow guarantee, offering full refunds for bookings at Sälen, Trysil, and Vemdalen ski resorts this week.
Sälen, Dalarna, Sweden; Trysil, Innlandet, Norway; Vemdalen, Jämtland, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Major Fires in Siberia, Far East Mark Ominous Start to Russia's 2025 Wildfire Season
Forest fires have swept across Russia’s Siberian and Far East regions, signaling a harsh 2025 wildfire season with over 52 active blazes, widespread damage, and critical resource shortages.
Chita, Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia

Classic Skiing Competition 7-mila Cancelled Due to Lack of Snow
The classic long-distance ski race 7-mila has been cancelled due to a lack of snow for the first time since 2014, affecting over 130 registered participants and causing financial concerns for the organizers.
Robertsfors, Västerbotten, Sweden

Anchorage snowpack officially drops to zero, rare for early March
The National Weather Service says the city has had no snow at this point in the season only twice before. On average, that doesn’t usually happen until halfway through April. Last year, which turned out to be the second snowiest on record, more than 2 feet blanketed the ground on March 3.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Anchorage’s scarcity of new snow since December sets dismal record
Anchorage has experienced its lowest snowfall from December to mid-February since records began in 1953, with only 4.3 inches, leading to significant changes in winter events like the Iditarod and Fur Rondy due to unseasonably warm, windy weather.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Poor snow cover cancels Ski for Women
Due to a diminished snowpack on the central Kenai Peninsula, the Ski for Women event at Tsalteshi Trails near Soldotna, Alaska has been canceled, though organizers remain hopeful about the upcoming Tour of Tsalteshi.
Soldotna, Alaska, United States
Peninsula Clarion

Victoria nears record January dry streak amid low rainfall on Vancouver Island
Victoria is close to setting a record for the longest January dry streak, with only 18% of normal precipitation recorded this month.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

The Iditarod is evaluating alternate race routes because of poor trail conditions
Organizers say they will determine by Feb. 3 whether it’s feasible to run the traditional southern route.
Nome, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

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