LEO Network

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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

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

Wildfire in Fish Creek Community Forest
A wildfire erupted in Fish Creek Community Forest within Fort St. John, B.C., on May 1, 2025, fueled by warm, dry, and windy conditions amid severe drought, highlighting the increasing risk of human-caused wildfires in urban-adjacent forests due to climate change and industrial practices.
Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada

Polar bear attacks and injures skier in Nunavut national park
A skier was evacuated to an emergency shelter before being transported by snowmobile to Pangnirtung’s health centre. The incident occurred early Thursday morning and the skier is receiving treatment, with no update on their condition.
Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada
CBC News

3 Firefighters Killed as Wildfires Rage in Russia’s Far East
Three firefighters who went missing battling wildfires in the Zabaikalsky region of Russia’s Far East were found dead, prompting a criminal investigation amid a large-scale state of emergency.
Tungokochensky District, Zabaikalsky Region, Russia
The Moscow Times

Helicopter caught in avalanche in Abisko – two persons missing
A rescue operation has been initiated after an avalanche dragged a helicopter that was on the ground in Abisko National Park, with two persons currently reported missing.
Abisko, Norrbotten, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

3 heli-skiers killed in massive avalanche near Girdwood
This is Alaska’s first fatal avalanche reported this season. It is also the country’s deadliest since February 2023.
Girdwood, Alaska
Alaska Public Media

The Wave Drove Cars and People into the Sea
Two individuals were swept into the sea near Akranes harbor when a large swell unexpectedly engulfed the area, dragging along cars and a pedestrian. They were rescued by emergency services, with one later transferred to a hospital in Reykjavík.
Akranes, Iceland
Vísir

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

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

Strong 7.2 earthquake strikes off Hualien
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake, the largest in 25 years, struck off the coast of Hualien, Taiwan, causing nine deaths, hundreds of injuries, and significant structural damage.
Hualien City, Taiwan, Taiwan

Invasive Pacific oyster spreading rapidly in Norway
The invasive Pacific oyster is spreading rapidly in Oslofjord, causing injuries to bathers and threatening local ecosystems, with Oslo municipality now offering a reward for their removal.
Oslofjord, Oslo Viken, Norway
TV 2

Huge slush avalanche over E6 in Alta: Two cars have been taken
A large ice flow washed two cars onto Leirbotnvann in Alta, while large blocks of ice blocked the E6.
Stokkdalselva, Leirbotnvann, Alta , Troms and Finnmark County, Norway
NRK

Chile reports first human case of avian influenza; Uruguay begins vaccination in commercial poultry farms
The Ministry of Health of Chile notified WHO of the detection of human infection with avian influenza A(H5) virus. The patient is a 53-year-old male from the Region of Antofagasta in the north of Chile.
Chile
MercoPress

Injured skier rescued after Girdwood avalanche sweeps him hundreds of feet down mountain
The slide occurred at a time when forecasters in the region are cautioning backcountry skiers and snowboarders about the potential for warming weather to increase avalanche risk.
Girdwood, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Cold Bay still on bottled drinking water, 10 months after the wells tested high for 'forever chemicals'
About a year ago, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation tested Cold Bay’s water wells for PFAS, and the results came back well above the levels recommended for human consumption. Cold Bay closed the wells for drinking when the test results came back, and the Eastern Aleutian community has relied on state-provided bottled water ever since.
Cold Bay, Alaska, United States
KDLG

Names released after avalanche on Reinøya in Karlsøy municipality
An avalanche Tromsø hit a residential house and a barn, killing over 100 goats on the farm.
Tromsø, Troms, Norway
NRK

Kotzebue still shoveling out from March storms
Kotzebue experienced one blizzard after another in March, and now with so much piled up and drifted snow, the community is struggling to dig out.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Troopers: Pilot Station man dies in storm, brother treated for hypothermia
Two brothers, one dead and one experiencing hypothermia, were found about two miles from Pilot Station after their snowmachine became stuck in heavy snow during a storm.
Pilot Station, Alaska, United States
Alaska Media, LLC., Steve Keller designer and application developer

Snow record in Tromsø
It has never snowed more in Tromsø in March than this year. There has been 158 cm of snow on the record so far this month and the previous record is 150 cm from 2000.
Tromsø, Troms, Norway
inyheter.no - Nyheter og aktuelt - Innenriks og Utenriks.

At least 26 dead after tornado-spawning storms roll through Southeast. One town is 'gone,' mayor says
At least 26 people were killed and dozens injured after powerful storms and at least one tornado pummeled the Southeast on Friday night, ripping roofs off homes, nearly leveling some neighborhoods and knocking out power for thousands, officials said.
Rolling Fork, Mississippi, United States

Mountain lion attacks man in hot tub at Colorado vacation rental
The man suffered four scratches to the top of his head and near his right ear, and declined medical assistance.
Nathrop, Colorado, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Persistent drought
"In our country Afghanistan I have observed that the level of water is decreasing day by day."
Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan

95-year-old Toronto woman on morning walk withstands 'monster' raccoon attack
Earlier this year, Merrijoy Kelner was walking through a park in the Annex when a raccoon attached itself to her leg and began viciously biting her. Animal services later captured the raccoon, and it tested negative for rabies.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
CBC

Landslide over county road – 100 people isolated
Alf Åge Teigmo heard a huge crash: "First came a river, then forest and large boulders.
Småvika, Flatanger, Trøndelag
NRK

Waiheke beach-goers urged to steer clear from toxic water
Testing has revealed black algae washing on Waiheke shores is toxic. “Currently the algal bloom on some Waiheke beaches could lead to skin or eye irritation if you are in contact with the water,” said Dr David Sinclair, Te Whatu Ora’s Northern Region medical officer of health.
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
NZ Herald

Extended Storms in Early March
It has been some years since we have had a long storm. March 6 marks the 3rd day and there have been no jets or small planes flying.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Crazy weather this winter
Nuuk, Sermersooq, Greenland

Bank erosion putting well and transmission line in danger
As the spring snow melt the flooding cuts away the bank more every day. This observation includes photos showing the location of the community water source, transmission line.
Noatak, Alaska, United States
Max Neale, Cody Uhlig, Jeffrey Luther, Joy Britt, Albertha Dallemolle, Edward "Ted" Smith, Jason Norris, Edna Bailey, Kalen Stamp, Chris Dankmeyer, Paul Walton

2022 derecho storm was stronger, deadlier than first recorded
New data shows the wind speed at the Region of Waterloo International Airport was 147km/h, an increase from the 131km/h first recorded.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2022 derecho storm was stronger, deadlier than first recorded: Northern Tornadoes Project

The mayor of Pilot Station dies after falling through Yukon River ice on a snowmachine
The ride downriver had been good. But by evening on the way back, it started to get bumpy.“There was lots of dark spots, lots of water,” said Nikiefer. Then suddenly, the ice turned needley. The snowmachine stopped, and then started to sink. They jumped off and started to swim.
Pilot Station, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Anchorage couple creates wildlife app to help others enjoy nature more safely
Scott Keenan and his wife Ashlie moved to Anchorage from Sydney, Australia four years ago, and found there were no other apps to help them safely navigate around the new types of wildlife they started to encounter in Alaska. Repawts can help people share important information about wildlife sightings and receive safety alert notifications for anyone hitting the hiking trails, campsites and fishing spots around Alaska.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Delhi: Bhalswa landfill smoulders for 2nd day, shrouds areas in toxic haze
The blaze was the fourth such incident in the last one month, as Delhi’s landfills are catching fire due to heavy build up of methane between the layers of millions of tonnes of garbage and high temperatures the city. Local residents said small fires keep erupting in the huge mountain of waste, but they have not seen such a massive one that broke out on Tuesday night.
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Hindustan Times

‘Local legend’ Valdez heli-ski guide dies in avalanche in Chugach Mountains
Michael Hamilton, who worked at Valdez Heli-Ski Guides, died Monday in one of numerous avalanches that have been occurring in the Southcentral Alaska backcountry recently. Several recent large wet slab avalanches reported throughout the Chugach are believed to be connected to a buried crust that formed around late October, she said. A warm storm system last week also weakened the snowpack because it added weight and heat.
Valdez, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

March in Finland was exceptionally sunny, scientists say
The last time Finland had this much sunshine in March was nearly a decade ago, in 2013. High pressure typically brings clear skies, and this was also the case last month in Finland.
Hyvinge, Uusimaa, Finland
News

Record dry late winters have resulted in low water levels in Eastern Norway
Lakes and rivers in Eastern Norway now have some of the lowest water levels they can have for the time of year. At the same time, there is unusually little snow in the mountains, and thus there is little refill ahead.
Mjøsa waterbody, Innlandet, Norway

Man mauled by bear off Richardson Highway near Gulkana in Southcentral Alaska
The 61-year-old man was flown to an Anchorage hospital for treatment of his injuries, troopers said.
Gulkana, Alaska, United States

70-year-old Texas man dies after being attacked by aggressive swarm of bees while mowing his lawn
A Texas man died after going into cardiac arrest when he was attacked by an aggressive swarm of bees outside his home, authorities said. Thomas Hicks, 70, was mowing his lawn Monday when he was repeatedly stung by the bees outside his home in Breckenridge.
Breckenridge, Texas, United States
KTLA

State watching rabies attacks, new strain potential issue
A recent spate of attacks on humans and pets by foxes in Topsham may be in part due to a new strain of rabies. As of April 18, there have been five such attacks in Topsham this year. State Veterinarian Michele Walsh theorizes a rabies strain more associated with raccoons has begun infecting gray foxes.
Topsham, Maine, United States
Press Herald

Man throws rabid bobcat after it attacks him and his wife
Happy Wade jumped into action when he saw the wild animal clawing and biting at his wife, Kristi. Both are currently being treated for rabies.
Burgaw, North Carolina, United States
KHOU

Over 1,000 families flee Davao del Norte floods
At least 1,130 families in some villages in Santo Tomas town in Davao del Norte were displaced by flash floods early morning of April 11, 2021. The Santo Tomas LGU, together with these three affected barangay (villages), are set to discuss the reoccurring flooding issue attributed to the various drainage canals or the lack of them.
New Visayas, Davao, Philippines
The Manila Times

Child hospitalized after exposure to volcanic gases
Thelma Dórey Pálmadóttir, age 14, fell ill while visiting the Geldingadalir eruption on Easter Sunday. She was one of ten people who reported symptoms. The explanation from doctors is that it was probably volcanic gas poisoning.
Grindavík, Southern Peninsula, Iceland
RÚV

Carbon dioxide spikes to critical record, halfway to doubling preindustrial levels
The concentration of the heat-trapping gas topped 420 parts per million, while the planet has warmed more than two degrees. This is the highest daily average concentration to be recorded. Data was collected at the Mauna Loa Observatory on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii
Washington Post

Nunavik health board warns of possible botulism exposure in Inukjuak
More than 27 people in Inukjuak may have been exposed to botulism after consuming contaminated walrus meat served at two recent feasts. The Nunavik regional health board made the announcement on its Facebook page on Saturday.
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Severe heat wave in Delhi, highest temperature in March since 1945
Delhi reeled under a 'severe heatwave' on the day of Holi, as the maximum temperature shot up to 40.1 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day in March in 76 years, the India Meteorological Department said on Monday.
Delhi, NCT, India
IndiaTVnews

Suspected bird flu after swan death in Fredrikstad
Knut-André Haugen found two dead swans with their heads under their wings outside Fredrikstad. Now the Norwegian Food Safety Authority suspects further spread of bird flu.
Skjærvika, Østfold, Norway
VG Verdens gang

Record rains cause flash flooding in Tennessee; 4 dead
Torrential rains across Tennessee flooded homes and at least one church and left roads impassable, prompting dozens of people to be rescued in the Nashville area. Authorities said four bodies were found Sunday in the flood’s aftermath. Precipitation has stopped, but flood warnings are in place for the next couple of days as rivers and creeks continue to rise.
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Press Herald

Skier dies in avalanche near Matanuska Glacier
Fairbanks resident Erin Lee, 40, was transported to Mat-Su Regional Hospital via helicopter where she was pronounced dead, according to the statement.
Matanuska Glacier

Bushfires then floods: Wisemans Ferry residents say both are ‘just as bad’
The rain finally stopped and the sun came out, but the floodwaters in Sydney’s north-west are still causing havoc.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The Sydney Morning Herald

'Worst mice plague in decades' swarms across New South Wales as three hospital patients are bitten
Intensive baiting programmes have so far had little success against the infestation, and locals are hoping for heavy rain to drown the mice in their burrows.
Gilgandra, New South Wales, Australia
Sky News

Blizzards kill 10 people, including 5-year-old child
Severe snow and dust storms hit Mongolia over the weekend and earlier this week. Wind speeds reached 34 meters per second. The storms and blizzard resulted in the death of nine people and a five-year old child in Dundgovi Province. Hundreds of others have gone missing.
Dundgovi, Mongolia
The UB Post

Irregular Ponderosa Pine Growth
Ponderosa pines in Eastern Washington are displaying signs of irregular growth.
Spokane, Washington, United States

Pollen Tornado
Warm temperatures are causing birch buds to burst, sending large amounts of pollen in the air. In Chuathbaluk, there was so much pollen, it was visible as a tornado.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States

Heat wave brings record-breaking temperatures to Sonoma County. Here's how long it will last
At 97 degrees, Tuesday was the hottest day of the year in Santa Rosa, breaking the 1974 record high for May 26.
Santa Rosa, California, United States
Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Mink infected two humans with coronavirus: Dutch government
Mink with the coronavirus have infected two people in the Netherlands in what are probably the first such cases of transmission during the epidemic, government and health authorities said on Monday.
Netherlands
Reuters

Where is our spring? Locals in Western Siberia say it feels like they skipped a season
Abnormally hot May weather resembles midsummer with air temperatures as high as +35C.
Krasnoyarsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
Siberia Times

Birch pollen count breaks 'world record' in Fairbanks
After a cold winter and spring, high temperatures around the Interior prompted birch tree buds to burst, sending record-setting levels of pollen into the air.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Roofs ripped off dozens of buildings, including maternity hospital, by stormy wind in Chita
The stormy wind at 30 metres per second rose in Chita in the afternoon on Wednesday 13 May.
Chita, Transbaikal Territory, Russia
Siberia Times

Thousands of reindeer calves at risk of dying due to long winter
There is concern in the reindeer industry for the prolonged winter cold in the far north – unless the heat comes soon, this year's calves risk dying.
Sápmi
Sveriges Radio

Flooding and landslides kill at least 65 in northern Rwanda
An estimated 11,000 people have been affected by heavy rain this year and 1,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed
Rwanda
The Telegraph

Heat Wave May Be One For The Record Books
Heat Wave May Be One For The Record Books - Sherman Oaks, CA - With temperatures soaring into the 90s in Los Angeles, residents are advised to avoid outdoor activity.
Los Angeles, California, United States
Patch

Almost 2,000 workers have contracted COVID-19 at this Russian Arctic construction site
A big cruise vessel has anchored up along the banks of the Kola Bay as the number of infected workers in Novatek's Belokamenka project continues to grow. The construction site operated by natural gas company Novatek continues to be the hotbed of COVID-19 cases in the Russian north.
The official
Murmansk, Murmansk, Russia
Eye on the Arctic

Period of extreme weather conditions kills five in northern mountainous region
A series of floods and landslides triggered by a period of torrential rain over the past few days has left five people dead, with one person missing and a further 25 people injured in mountainous regions situated in the north on April 25.
Lai Chau, Vietnam
VietNamNet

Algae bloom chokes Achencoil river stretch
Eutrophication — excess nutrients in water — and environmental changes were identified as the cause of the harmful algal blooms in the fresh aquatic system of the Achencoil.
Pathanāmthitta, Kerala, India
The Hindu

Toxic algal blooms in Rotorua lakes could cause significant health effects, authorities warn
Don't swim in these three lakes if you notice any of these features, authorities say.
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand
Stuff

Wildfires add to coronavirus misery across nine Siberian regions and republics
With Russia on Covid-19 lockdown, 77 houses were burned down in Novosibirsk and Kemerovo regions.
Краснинское, Ленинск-Кузнецкий район, Кемеровская область, Russia
Siberia Times

Coronavirus cases surge in Nunavik: Puvirnituq confirms 10th case
The community has the medical supplies it currently requires but, like many other remote or isolated communities, overcrowding makes dealing with an outbreak difficult.
Puvirnituq, Quebec, Canada
APTN News

Fluff Flies Into Russia's Capital
Early summer in Moscow brings an onslaught of allergy-inducing, Instagram-ready fluff from poplar seeds.
Moscow, Moscow, Russia
The Moscow Times

If tree pollen has you wheezing, just wait for ragweed 'super bloom'
Dr. Antony Ham Pong, who's been treating allergy patients for about 35 years, warns the combination of a wet spring and heavy snow melt threaten to create a "super bloom of ragweed with lots of pollen."
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Yahoo News

Spruce pollen blooms look ominous but are nothing to sneeze at
For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, spring means red eyes, mucus and fits of sneezing. This year, the Lynn Canal has seen a remarkable spruce pollen bloom.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) regurgitation full of plastic found in Unalaska
Regurgitation from a bald eagle contains plastic pieces.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Melissa Good, Anna-Katri Kulmala, Veronica Padula

Why does it look like it's snowing in Stockholm in late May?
Pia Östensson, a biologist and pollen expert at Stockholm's Natural History museum, explains why there is so much aspen fluff this year and why it is not related to recent wildfires.
Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Salal (Gaultheria shallon) dying back in coastal BC and WA
Cape Disappointment, Washington, United States

Black skies over Siberia as wildfires rage around the world’s oldest lake
Cries to urgently call state of emergency in Irkutsk region as it chokes in smoke.
Irkutsk, Irkutsk, Russia
Siberian Times

Body of Ambler snowmachiner recovered from Kobuk River
Alvin Williams was reported missing on May 2. His body was found Sunday, troopers said.
Ambler, Alaska, United States

Town in Mongolia closed for quarantine after Bubonic plague claimed two lives
The Mongolian Ministry of Health confirmed two people died from plague after consuming raw meat and internal organs of a marmot.
Өлгий, Bayan-Ölgiy, Mongolia
Siberian Times

Hunters stranded on sandbar after falling through Yukon River ice in Western Alaska
The cold and wet hunters built a fire to keep warm until Alaska Army National Guard rescuers arrived hours later.
Mountain Village, Alaska, United States

Outdoor air quality at seasonal low
Spring blossoms, dusty streets, distant fires and a lack of rain combine to create hazardous respiratory conditions.
Turku, Southwest Finland, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Cyclone Kenneth 'wiped out villages'
A UN official says it looks from the air like parts of Mozambique were "run over by a bulldozer".
Mocímboa, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique
BBC News

Wind Carries European Birch Pollen to Iceland
Pollen from birch trees was carried along with dust from the Sahara Desert on strong winds that originated in Eastern Europe.
Garðabær, Capital Region, Iceland
Iceland Review

Siberia Rushes to Extinguish Fast-Spreading Wildfires
Gallery | The fires, which were swept in from Mongolia by high winds, have caused almost $9.4 million in damage.
Zabaikalsky Region, Russian Federation

2 adults, child die after crashing through ice
The Arctic Sounder - Serving the Northwest Arctic and the North Slope
Noatak, Alaska, United States
The Arctic Sounder

Death toll from devastating Cyclone Idai rises above 1,000
The death toll from a storm that crashed into southeast Africa last month has risen above 1,000, with more than 4,000 cases of cholera reported among survivors in Mozambique, the hardest-hit country.
Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi
AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

The dusty season has arrived early. Here are some things that might surprise you.
Why air quality is worse at different times of day and how you might be violating city code with your leaf blower.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Unusually heavy pollen season getting underway in Finland
Alder catkins (the pollen-rich flowers on alder trees) haven't reached their peak yet, but there are a lot of them. There can be four to five million pollen particles in a single catkin.
Turku, Southwest Finland, Finland
Yle Uutiset

2 dead near Bethel when four-wheelers fall through river ice amid warnings to stay off
The tragedy came after several days of dire warnings about the dangers of river travel due to an unusually early warm-up. Search and rescuers crawled onto weak ice, open water all around, to help retrieve the survivors.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

'Stay off the ice' BSAR warns as two die from four-wheelers falling through ice
Two four-wheelers carrying five men leaving Bethel broke through needle ice on the upper end of Church Slough on Sunday night. Two of the men died, while three others were treated for hypothermia in Bethel.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Two dead and one missing amid ‘historic’ flooding across the Midwest
Louisville, Nebraska, United States
Washington Post

Flash Flood in Sao Paulo
São Paulo, Brazil

Avalanche destroys home in southwestern Colorado, injuring sheriff and his 2 daughters
A sheriff and his two daughters were injured near Lake City in southwestern Colorado after an avalanche destroyed their home Tuesday morning.
Gunnison, Colorado, United States
The Denver Post

Multiple cars buried in avalanche on Highway 91
Crews are working to free multiple cars that are trapped by an avalanche on Highway 91 near Copper Mountain, the Colorado State Patrol has confirmed.
Leadville, Colorado, United States
KMGH

Sweltering heatwave sweeps across Punjab
A severe heat wave is sweeping across parts of Punjab, with temperatures reaching up to 44 degrees Celsius on Monday. In different cities, including Gujranwala, Sialkot, Malakwal and Sambrial, reported that the scorching heat reduced traffic on roads, leaving markets deserted with people preferring to shop in the evening. People traveling on motorcycles and public transport are also facing a tough time.
Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan
The Express Tribune

Ellicott City devastated by another flood as heavy rain drenches the Baltimore region
Ellicott City was devastated by heavy rain Sunday, just two years after the historic city in Howard County was forced to recover from another flash flood.
Ellicott City, Maryland, United States
baltimoresun.com

Madison, Milwaukee set record high temperatures on Sunday
On Sunday, both the cities reached 95 degrees, edging out previous highs of 94 degrees for May 27 set in 2012 for Madison and 1911 for Milwaukee.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Wisconsin State Journal

Opioids, antibiotics found in mussels in the Puget Sound
Shellfish in the Puget Sound tested positive for the prescription opioid oxycodone, and this was not the only drug found by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Elliott Bay, Washington, United States
CNN

B.C. flooding: Ottawa sending military to help flooded communities, evacuations in Fraser Valley
Military help is on the way to B.C. communities ravaged by floods, as rivers rise and more people are forced out of their homes around the province.
Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Eastern Washington flooding reaches emergency levels
Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency Saturday for counties in the eastern part of the state
Omak, Washington, United States
CBS/AP

Climate change could leave Californians with 'weather whiplash'
Climate change will make for more frequent wild swings in California weather, with both more extremely dry and extremely wet years and 'weather whiplash' in between.
California, United States
CNN

A swarming, exotic tick species is now living year round in N.J.
A tick species that was discovered for the first time in the U.S. on a Hunterdon County farm last year has survived the winter.
Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States
NJ.com

Bull sharks colonize N.C.'s Pamlico Sound, prompting ominous predictions for humans
Bull sharks, an apex predator, are moving into the Pamlico Sound as a nursing habitat, and experts are crediting ocean warming as the cause.
Palmico Sound, North Carolina, United States
Charlotte Observer

Sargassum on the south coast
Newport, Curacao
Curaçao Chronicle

Nunavut hunter believed drowned after falling through ice during polar bear hunt
According to an RCMP news release, the hunter was part of a group of five men hunting for polar bears. The group was 65 kilometres southeast of Clyde River when the man fell through the ice at about 9:30 p.m.
Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada
CBC

2018 Weather, climate disasters already costing record amounts
So far in 2018, there have been three climate and weather disasters that have cost $1 billion or more.
United States
Newsweek

A respected outdoorsman, this 26-year-old was traveling to get firewood when he disappeared
When Jazmin James hadn’t returned to Tununak by Easter Sunday as planned, the family reported him missing. His snowmachine was found on sea ice, partly submerged in water.
Tununak, Alaska, United States

Vancouver Island cholera outbreak 'a unique situation,' health officials say
The cases in B.C. have been traced back to consumption of herring spawn, a treasured traditional food source for First Nations throughout Vancouver Island.
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

In Alaska, a town threatened by climate change gets federal funding to relocate
Newtok, Alaska, United States
ThinkProgress

Cholera found in herring eggs from Oceanside area
NANAIMO — Island Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control are warning anyone who's eaten herring eggs recently to stay hydrated and safely dispose of any remaining eggs.
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
NanaimonewsNOW

Burning Coal for Survival in the World’s Coldest Capital
Many residents of Ulan Bator, Mongolia, use coal-burning stoves during the winter months when staying warm is a matter of survival. But the pollution is hazardous to their health.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
New York Times

More than 230,000 remain without power in Mass.; could take days to restore - The Boston Globe
The storm dropped more than a foot of snow overnight in some places, making for a messy Thursday morning commute. And the nor’easter isn’t gone yet.
Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
BostonGlobe.com
Felicia Gans, John R. Ellement, Andy Rosen and Travis Andersen

At least six dead as nor’easter slams East Coast with violent wind, rain, snow and floods
From Massachusetts to Virginia, the East Coast was pounded by a storm that threatened to break records. Nearly two million people lost power.
Baltimore County, Maryland, United States
Washington Post
By Karen Weintraub, Bill Hewitt, Amy B Wang, Eli Rosenberg & Keith McMillan

West Nile investigated in boy’s death, which would be Missouri’s earliest fatal case
The Jackson County Medical Examiner has sent samples for testing to the Missouri Department of Health after a possible West Nile death. If confirmed it would be the earliest West Nile fatality in a calendar year in Missouri history.
Independence, Missouri, United States
Kansas City Star

Moscow storm: At least 16 people killed
A fierce storm whipped through Moscow Monday, killing 16 people, toppling thousands of trees and damaging several buildings, officials said.
Moscow, Moscow, Russia

Lone Star Tick invades Southeast
Tick season is here and it's no secret the parasites can transmit dangerous diseases.But there's a relatively new and rare tick-borne disorder that causes an allergic reaction to red meat called 'Alpha Gal.'Jasmine Bailey reports how the tick that carries
Mobile, Alabama, United States
WPMI

Ticks are flourishing in St. Lawrence County, Lyme disease rates likely higher than tracking shows
Saint Lawrence County, New York, United States
NorthCountryNow

Scientists: Tick population exploding across Long Island
Scientists predict a record year for ticks on Long Island and the rest of the Northeast, and they are attributing the surge to a confluence
Long Island, New York, United States
Newsday

Explosion of Deadly Ticks Fueled by Climate Change, Ravaging Moose, Infecting People and Pets
EnviroNews Exclusive: Warmer, shorter winters due to climate change are a boon for the ticks that harm people, their pets and wildlife, scientists told EnviroNews in a series of exclusive interviews for this report. A walk in the woods can be refreshing, fun and good exercise.
Canada-United States, North America
EnviroNews DC News Bureau

Yemen war: Emergency in Sanaa as cholera kills scores
Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
BBC News

City of Ottawa warns flood victims of contamination risk
The City of Ottawa has advised residents affected by flooding to throw out many household items that have come into contact with flood water.
CBC News

Ottawa River full of untreated sewage during May flooding
Heavy rain and winter runoff in the month of May has affected more than people's homes along the Ottawa River. The river itself, often polluted with sewage overflow after a day or two of heavy rain, has had to absorb more than 600-million litres over the past week alone.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
CBC News

Residents in flood zone should get well water tested, health officials advise
Residents who get their water from wells in areas affected by flooding should get their water tested before drinking it, and should check well pumps for damage, Ottawa Public Health is recommending.
On Monday city officials said more than 300 homes near the Ottawa River have been affected by severe spring flooding.
Bells Corners, Ontario, Canada

B.C. spring run-off and torrential rain cause floods and mudslides
Warm temperatures prompting spring run-off combined with heavy rainfall in some areas caused devastating floods and mudslides in several parts of B.C.
Cache Creek, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

A desperate plea for help as four African nations near a famine crisis
Somaliland villages
ABC News
CHRISTINE ROMO, DAVID MUIR, ENJOLI FRANCIS

Wildfires rage across Siberia and the Russian Far East
Dry conditions fuel dozens of fires and result in a state of emergency across the Siberian Federal District.
Bubnovka, Irkutsk, Russia
Siberian Times

1.4 million children to suffer acute malnutrition in Somalia
Somalia
Africanews

Community Sick with Spring Flu
Seems to happen same time each year.
Scammon Bay, Alaska, United States
Jennifer Dobson, James Berner, Morgan Simon

In Greenland’s northernmost village, a melting Arctic threatens the age-old hunt
But the age-old Inugguit lifestyle is changing fast as the climate warms, disrupting long-held patterns and possibilities and forcing economic challenges as a traditional hunting culture weighs new industries such as fishing and even tourism.
Qaanaaq, Greenland
The Washington Post

Oxfam: Climate change deepening Horn of Africa's hunger crisis
Mogadishu, Banaadir, Somalia
Eyewitness News

Nuclear town on fire, with residents 'choking' from smoke
Facilities for producing weapons grade plutonium believed safe despite fierce flames caused by wildfires.
Zheleznogorsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia

We've never seen this drought, this disease: Somali families bury their dead
Baidoa, Bay, Somalia
the Guardian

At-risk countries worry what 'America first' means for climate change
Bairiki Village, Gilbert Islands, Kiribati
Public Radio International

Paralytic shellfish toxin found in mollusks at Auke Bay
Researchers with Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research found high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin in a population of mollusks at Auke Recreation Area in Juneau on Friday.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
JuneauEmpire.com

Herring spawn near Lily Point
Near Lily Point, Point Roberts, Washington, United States

Did Pinochet-era deregulation cause Chile's worst-ever wildfires?
"After the fires killed 11 and devastated vast swaths of land in January many are asking if subsidised timber plantations are to blame"
Monte Patria, Coquimbo, Chile
the Guardian

As water scarcity deepens across Latin America, political instability grows
"In Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador disputes over water shortages are part of a wider fight for equal access and shared responsibility"
Cochabamba, Cochabamba, Bolivia
the Guardian

Lots of Spruce (Picea glauca) Pollen and Early
Windows have been open during the record heat and the interior of the house is also full of pollen, a thin layer can be seen on the floor near windows. Everyone, even people like myself who rarely experience allergies, are feeling the effects, burning eyes, runny nose, and cough.

Alaska birch pollen is getting so bad, even those without allergies might suffer
Spiking levels of birch pollen around much of the state are also being seen during an early spring in Anchorage this week, as doctors deal with an influx of allergy and asthma patients.

West Coast Harmful Algal Bloom
Over the past few months, a massive toxic bloom of the marine diatom *Pseudo-nitzschia*, stretching from central California to the Alaska Peninsula, has resulted in significant impacts to coastal resources and marine life. NOAA has been working closely with federal, state, tribal, academic, and other partners to respond to this unprecedented harmful algal bloom (HAB).
Pacific Ocean, Northern to East Coasts
National Ocean Service (NOAA)

Early Allergy Season
Allergy season happening sooner
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Marine Mussels Clean of PSP (Toxins)
Declining after years elevated.
Klamath, California, United States

Low Water On Taieri River
Low water on the Taieri River
Outram, Otago, New Zealand

No Permanent Winter Ice and Early Break Up For Nome
Nome, Alaska, United States

Volcanic Ash Fall
Ash from Mount Pavlof Lands in Nelson Lagoon
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Tourist Killed by Ice fall, Knik Glacier Alaska
The victim, identified as 28-year-old Alexander Hellweger, was part of a group of eight friends from Italy and Belgium vacationing in Alaska.

Hot, dry weather brings wildfires near Palmer
Unseasonably warm, dry weather in a large section of the state set the stage for a roughly 20-acre wildfire near Palmer and kept authorities across Southcentral and Interior Alaska busy putting out backyard fires despite ongoing warnings against open burning.
Palmer, Alaska, United States

Sea Ice Rescue
4-29-14 Sea ice rescue - Barrow, Alaska, USA
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Bed bugs are calling Alaska home at increasing rates
In Anchorage, the city logged 68 bed bug complaints in 2013, a decrease from the 84 in 2012. There was just one complaint in 2007 and 2008 combined, according to city data.

Falling ice traps driver, closes highway
A woman was trapped in a pickup on the Seward Highway on Friday after falling ice crushed the vehicle just south of Anchorage.

Powerful Quake and Tsunami Devastate Northern Japan
Japan was filled with scenes of desperation a day after an 8.9-magnitude quake, as survivors called for help and rescuers looked for people buried in rubble.
Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
The New York Times

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