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

Extreme rains causing road erosion
Intense rainfall in Cheonan, South Korea, causes significant erosion of a local river park road.
Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea

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
Alaska Public Media

Weather Ups and Downs
Alaska experiences unusual weather with multiple false springs, marked by warm periods followed by heavy snow or cold, casting doubt on the arrival of summer.
Eagle River, Alaska, United States

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
Lars Flora, Mike Brubaker, Richard L Thoman Jr

An angry moose and bare ground mark a brutal first quarter for Iditarod teams
Iditarod teams faced a challenging first quarter with bare ground damaging sleds and a dangerous encounter with an aggressive moose that injured a dog.
McGrath, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Skier killed, 2 others hurt after falling about 300 metres in Alaska avalanche
An avalanche on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula killed one backcountry skier and injured two others, prompting warnings for people to stay away from steep slopes as warm weather and high winds raise the risk of more snowslides around the state.
Summit Lake
CBC

First deer with Chronic Wasting Disease found in B.C
The first known cases of Chronic Wasting Disease in British Columbia have been discovered in two deer in the Kootenays. Officials have been keeping an eye on the southeastern area of B.C. for some time, as nearby outbreaks have occurred in Alberta, Montana and Idaho. The two recent positive samples came from an area south of Cranbrook.
Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Castanet

Palisades, Alpine Meadows to open today with fewer lifts running
Palisades and Alpine Meadows ski resorts open with limited lifts after an avalanche at Palisades resulted in one fatality and prompted avalanche warnings in the Sierra backcountry.
Truckee, California, United States
Reno Gazette Journal

El Niño effects around Great Slave Lake made for 'spring-like' December in Łútsël K'é, N.W.T.
El Nino and climate change led to an unusually warm December in Łutsël, N.W.T., affecting Christmas plans and ice-related activities due to Great Slave Lake not freezing over as expected.
Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

Eaglecrest opening delayed again, target date now TBD
Eaglecrest Ski Area's opening is delayed again due to warm weather and rain, with no new target date set for the season start.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Unseasonably warm temperatures leave winter athletes in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., in the lurch
In Fort Simpson, the weather is still not cold enough to open the community's ice rink. Young athletes in the community say they are struggling to adapt.
Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

Alaskans drawn to alpine lakes for ‘once-in-a-decade’ ice skating conditions
Alaskans are taking advantage of rare ice skating conditions on alpine lakes in Chugach State Park, with hundreds of people hiking into the backcountry to skate on smooth ice in the shadow of iconic peaks.
Rabbit Lake, Alaska
Anchorage Daily News

Invasive Elodea in Piledriver Slough
Invasive Elodea has been observed since 2020.
Moose Creek, Alaska, United States

Invasive Elodea in 28 Mile Pit
Elodea found on and near Eielson Airforce Base
Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, United States

2 killed in suspected grizzly bear attack in Canada's Banff National Park
Two people were killed in a suspected grizzly bear attack in Banff National Park, Canada, leading to the euthanization of the bear for public safety.
Banff, Alberta, Canada

Rockslide closes Hwy 97 between Summerland and Peachland
Highway 97 between Summerland and Peachland in British Columbia, Canada is closed in both directions due to a rockslide, with no timeline for reopening and the only approved detour being via highways 97C, 5A, 3, and 33.
Summerland, British Columbia, Canada
Castanet

Humpback whale nearly knocks paddler off board near Whittier
Stand up paddle boarder near miss with humpback whale in Prince William Sound.
Whittier, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Mountain biker dies after helping save dehydrated hikers in Jacumba
A mountain biker died Saturday after trying to help dehydrated hikers in an eastern San Diego valley, officials said.
Jacumba, California, United States
NBC 7 San Diego

Fuel vault at Anchorage medical campus believed to be source of University Lake oil spill
Oil from a nearby fuel container leaked through the water system in the lake most likely due to heavy rains of the past month. Cleanup efforts were ongoing this week. It’s not clear when the park will reopen.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Orlando man and stepson die in Big Bend National Park
A 14-year-old boy was found dead along the trail; a 31-year-old male was also found dead at the site of a motor vehicle crash near the trailhead. Last Friday also happened to be the hottest day so far this year in that part of the park. Nearby Rio Grande Village recorded a sweltering 119 degrees — the highest in the park.
Texas, United States
The Big Bend Sentinel

Hatcher Pass Road opens for summer, but with winter lingering
The Hatcher Pass Road in Alaska has opened for the summer season, but deep snow remains at higher elevations, with crews spending the last week digging out the road over the pass before opening it.
Palmer, Alaska, United States

Warm waters prompt fishing permit suspensions
The sale of fishing permits has been suspended for two sites where water temperatures have risen to critically high levels, especially for salmon.
Salo, Southwest Finland, Finland
News

Rocky Mountain spotted fever outbreak in Campinas, São Paulo State
The Ministry of Health confirms the occurrence of three deaths from Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in Campinas/São Paulo, referring to an outbreak in the municipality.
Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Outbreak News Today

Concerned about algae in Cheney Lake
Over the last several weeks the algae bloom has ranged from significant covering the surface of the lake in many places to today seeing patches of the bloom here and there on the surface. It can also be observed below the surface near the shoreline.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Avian influenza detected on kittiwakes in Harstad
Kjell Arvid Andersen thought the birds were behaved strangely. Then he and his neighbors found over 30 dead birds.
Nordre Leirvåg - Bjarkøy, Harstad, Troms and Finnmark, Norway
NRK

Floating Helmet
"My son found this helmet floating here in Prince William Sound."
Tatitlek, Alaska, United States

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

Discovered brand new fish species in Norway: "What the hell have we got here?"
When the fisherman Lars-Ivar Dale pulled up his net, he suddenly saw a species of fish he had never seen before. Fish scientist is now asking for help.
Nautnes, Øygarden, Vestland, Norway
NRK

Invasive Elodea in Harding Lake
Elodea was first observed in Harding Lake in 2020 growing in isolated patches and has since been assessed and managed by the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District and its partners.
Salcha, Alaska, United States

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.

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

Iditarod mushers cope with warm temperatures as they arrive at Alaska Range
Mushers shrugged off jackets and dogs sunbathed in the snow as temperatures hovered around 40 degrees — hot by Alaska winter standards.
Rainy Pass, Alaska
Alaska Public Media
Lex Treinen, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Lack of snow, warmer weather creating shorter snowmobile season in New Hampshire
It has been a rough winter season for many outdoor activities in New Hampshire, but a below-average snowpack is hitting the snowmobile industry especially hard.
North Conway, New Hampshire, United States
WMUR

Coastal Rivers Lacking Steelhead
After the January storms provided the flushing and scouring our coastal rivers desperately needed, anglers were thinking and hoping the winter steelhead would be there. Up and down the coast, well known steelhead rivers are not seeing the numbers we're accustomed to. This same scenario happened a couple years ago, but the fish finally showed up. And that will more than likely be the case again this year. But with the calendar now saying February, it's getting a little more nerve racking.
Eureka, California, United States
North Coast Journal

Warm in the north and lots of snow
Kirkenes had a record warm moon and Kongsberg has had more than twice as much accumulation as they usually do in January.
Kirkenes, Troms and Finnmark County, Norway
Meteorologisk institutt

Twenty Rescued from Ski Lift in High Winds
Twenty people were rescued from a chairlift at the Hlíðarfjall ski area outside Akureyri. The lift stalled when the wire was blown off its spool by a strong blast of wind.
Akureyri, Northeast, Iceland
Iceland Review

Huge amounts of snow in the mountains - It just keeps running down
Last winter there was record low snow. But now there are reports of snow records and amazing skiing conditions on the mountain.
Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway
VG - Verdens Gang

Snow shortage threatens Alps with wet winter season
The word for it here is Schneemangel or snow shortage. There's a phrase for when the snow is plentiful too - das weisse Gold - white gold. It's a reflection of how many alpine communities depend on winter sports for their livelihoods. World Cup skiers will race on artificial snow this Saturday as the Alps see record high temperatures.
Adelboden, Bern, Switzerland
BBC News

Salmon struggle to spawn amid record-setting drought
Record-setting drought conditions have left many of B.C’s streams and waterways too low for salmon to swim up to spawn. Heiltsuk First Nation leaders say hundreds of fish were found rotting in a creek in Bella Bella, B.C., usually teeming by fall with migrating pink and chum salmon.

Can we convince tourists to go hiking without leaving any traces?
A growing number of people are visiting Norway’s protected areas. This poses new challenges for national park management. Excrement and rubbish left behind by thousands of tourists degrades Lofotodden National Park’s idyllic nature. What can be done about this problem?
Å, Nordland, Norway
The Independent Barents Observer

Salmon run disrupted by trench dug across Coquihala River
There were alternatives for Trans Mountain Corporation to digging a trench in the river to lay pipe during the time the salmon were running.
Hope, British Columbia, Canada

Drought is killing the economy in the French Alps
The French Alps region is getting hit hard by drought, most likely exacerbated by climate change. And that's putting the entire economy there in serious jeopardy, because where there's no water, there are no tourists. Summertime in the Alps sees tourists visit for rafting and swimming. In the winter, skiing is what attracts visitors from all over. At least one resort is trying
Les Houches, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
The World from PRX

Rare birds’ arrival an ‘unmissable sign’ climate emergency has reached Britain
Pushed north by global heating, birds like the European bee-eater seen in Norfolk likely to become established visitors
Mundesley, England, United Kingdom
the Guardian

Mosquitoes are unusually dense and vicious all of a sudden
Our Mosquito Magnet trap filled in under a week. We normally empty it once a month or so.
Ester, Alaska, United States

Fears of bird flu in colony on Hornøya in Finnmark with critically endangered seabird
Endangered guillemots sit tightly in the bird cliff. Infection of bird flu can pass through the colony quickly, fear scientists, who have found several dead birds in recent days. The finds on Hornøya join the series of observations along the coast. There are constantly new reports of sea otters in particular being found in Western Norway. There are also reports of sick gulls and sea eagles along the entire coast up to East Finnmark.
Hornøy Island, Vardø, Finnmark Fylke, Norway

Avian flu detected in Norway wild birds
During February and March, six new findings of highly pathogenic bird flu virus (HPAI) were made in sea eagles in the counties of Møre og Romsdal, Trøndelag, Nordland and Troms and Finnmark. Thus far, eight reliable detections have been made in sea eagles in Norway this bird flu season, which is unique in the European context.
Vardø, Troms and Finnmark County, Norway
Norwegian Veterinary Institute

Forest fire at Kornsjø in Halden: Fire brigade is in control
More than 100 acres of forest have burned in Kornsjø on the Swedish border. At one point, several cabins were in danger of catching fire.
Hörnsjö, Västerbotten, Sweden

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.

‘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

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

Wind gusts in Northwest Alaska pushed away sea ice, caused power outages
Extremely high winds blew over Northwest Alaska this weekend, pushing away ice cover and cutting power in some communities. The storm is expected to be 100 miles west of Utqiagvik by 3 a.m. on Tuesday morning and continue to weaken and drift north after that.
Kivalina, Alaska, United States
Arctic Sounder

No skiing, no snowbanks: Severe snow droughts are coming to the West
Professional skier Amie Engerbretson is already noticing diminishing snow in her hometown of Lake Tahoe. She didn’t know what to do this past Thanksgiving because she couldn’t ski for the first time since she could remember. “The ski seasons are shrinking, and a lot of times the storms are coming in with more rain,” she says. “I can remember being a little girl with 19-foot snow banks in my front yard. I certainly haven't seen snow banks that high as an adult.”
Truckee, California, United States
KCRW

Tangled Up in Blue: Skipping skating
I was looking forward to ice skating this winter. I had bought a pair of Nordic blades. This morning, I woke up to over a foot of snow. It is an early storm for Seward, which was blanketed in white this morning.
Seward, Alaska, United States
Homer News

Chaos after extreme precipitation – Never experienced anything like it
Several roads have been closed as a result of landslides and flooding.
Storås, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway
Hanne Bernhardsen Nordvåg, Hans Ivar Moss Kolseth, Kristin Agerlie, Morten Karlsen, Marius Andrè Jenssen Stenberg

Amazing November skiing! Lots of snow, lots of cold!
It is November, we have snow and we are skiing the Southcentral Alaska backcountry early and in the best conditions in years.

Harmful algae colours the Oslo fjord green
Scientists now say that the harmful alga will survive the winter and that it will probably turn green in the Oslo fjord next year as well.
Oslofjord, Oslo, Norway
Lea Girolami Bråthen, Dag Aasdalen, Maren Nan Myrseth

Later Snowfalls are Causing Challenges for Winter Sports
The first event in Lillehammer is in early December, and despite being able to easily prep the hills in the past, Lillehammer athletes must now rely on snow shipped from other parts of Norway.
Lillehammer, Oppland, Norway

Here winter has become two months shorter
Winter will never be the way it was, according to scientists. Towards the end of the century, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute predicts that the winter weather will gradually disappear from Oslo.
Bodø, Nordland, Norway

The hunting tick has been discovered in Norway
The tick can carry hemorrhagic diphtheria. The disease is widespread in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In addition, some cases have been seen in southern Europe. The fever can cause serious illness in humans.
Vestby, Akershus, Norway

Southern temperatures in Northern Norway – warmer in Narvik than in Rome
This morning it was as hot in Narvik as in Rome and Istanbul, and far warmer than countries in southern Europe. However, the mild air is on the wane.
Narvik, Nordland, Norway

If you're a surfer, you'll want to read UCSD's final figures on the 'bomb cyclone' waves
The largest wave was a 60-foot 4-inch beast that hit Astoria, Oregon on Sunday. It was a record for the station, which is part of Scripps’ Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP).
Astoria, Oregon, United States
San Diego Union-Tribune

Oil spill reaches Laguna Beach, threatens Crystal Cove in Newport Beach as cleanup efforts intensify
The oil likely will continue to encroach on Orange County beaches for the next few days, officials said.
Los Angeles Times

Animal tragedy in the Oslo fjord
Hundreds of guillemots go astray in the Oslo fjord every autumn. Many are now starving in the food-poor fjord.
Oslofjorden, Oslo, Norway

Chinook salmon returning in surprising numbers to Cowichan River
In 2009, the numbers dropped down to just 500 pairs of Chinook returning. Yet, as of Tuesday, more than 8,000 Chinook had returned to their Cowichan River spawning grounds. The improvement is the result of years of conservation efforts by Cowichan Tribes, who have worked to restore the river to its course before logging operations changed the river.
Cowichan River
CHEK

Was stung by giant wasps – ended up in the emergency room
Nina was going for a walk with the dog when she felt a sting on her toe. On the floor lay a European hornet, the largest wasp in Northern Europe. She is allergic to wasps and immediately realized that this could be dangerous. After a few minutes, her foot swelled up. She became dizzy and her pulse raced.
Øvre Vang, Hamar, Innlandet, Norway

Marine vomit spread along the western coast of Norway
A self-cloning and invincible enemy invades coastal areas. The carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum) or “marine vomit” have been observed nearby Stavanger and Bergen. Large yellow flakes has spread on the seabed and kills everything beneath. It may grow on boats and can spread along the coast.
Engøysundet, Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway
Josef Benoni Ness Tveit, Håkon Mannsåker

Sea cucumber die-off near Vancouver Island
When Kathleen Reed descended for her usual weekly dive off the coast of Nanaimo, B.C., last Saturday she was shocked by how many dead sea cucumbers she saw. Experts and harvesters fear that sea cucumbers are being hit by an illness similar to sea star wasting disease.
Dolphin Beach, British Columbia, Canada

Suddenly Njord (13) got a tuna on the hook – I was surprised!
The fishing trip to Gaiakulpen in Vesterelva offered a real surprise to friends Njord Lindgård and Tobias Holm (13).
Vesterelv, Nesseby, Troms og Finnmark Fylke, Norway
iFinnmark

He has lived for 74 years – for the first time the river is dry
Extreme drought in the west means that households with private waterworks are out of water. Elvar's dried up. "The situation is very serious," he says.
Skinlo, Breim, Vestland, Norway

Second year in row, big numbers of wild reindeer calves are found dead along banks of great river Khatanga
Poaching and climate change might be the reasons why more than 1,200 migrating animals did not make it across the wide Arctic waterway.
Khatanga river, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
The Independent Barents Observer

Russia's Norilsk sees a heatwave
Residents of the Russian Arctic city of Norilsk spent time in and around Lake Dolgoye on Tuesday, as temperatures in the region soared. The lake is used for water discharge from Norilsk‘s Central Heating and Power Plant No. 1, but was used for swimming on July 27 as the temperature in the city reached 30 degrees Celsius (86 F).
Norilsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
ArcticToday

Coyote bites another Stanley Park jogger a week after 4 of the animals put down
The BC Conservation Officer Service said the latest attack happened around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night, while a woman was jogging along the seawall.
West End, British Columbia, Canada
Global News

Such was the temperature in July
It's been a hot July. In fact, it was the 10th warmest in 120 years.
Lakselv, Troms og Finnmark Fylke, Norway

There's a lot of flies in the mountains and heat, but there are things you can do to cope
Millions of small black flies have taken over mountains and hiking trails. "I thought it was horrible," says Pernille Frøskeland.
Skrovtinden, Reipå, Nordland, Norway
Sofie Retterstøl Olaisen, Emma Skau Solås

Flood Level on Takhini River
"River is running bank full with all gravel bars and low islands underwater."

Flood warning in Carmacks docks the 2021 River Quest
The Yukon River Quest has been cancelled for the second year in a row. When the river is high like that the banks are being eroded, there is no place to pull out so if you do have a problem it's really dangerous indeed.
Carmacks, Yukon, Canada
Yukon News

Abnormal abundance of ticks
My colleague who has been doing this work for over 35 years indicated that he has never experienced that many ticks.
Scott Road Landfill (near Cardinal)
Chyna Williams, Andrea Sare, David Oswald

Low king counts to close Anchor River, Deep Creek to fishing
“The midpoint of the Anchor River king salmon run was extremely late. These fish are really having some odd, unprecedented run timing and behavior."
Kasilof, Alaska, United States

Probably the world's northernmost observed narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth
Tine Aastrøm Lorentzen was on a trip in Rana and noticed what she thought was a bumblebee, but it was suspiciously silent. "It looked like a crossover of a bumblebee and a butterfly. I studied it more closely and found that I had to film this, because I had never seen anything like this before," she tells NRK. The latin name of that insect is *Hemaris tityus.*
Sjona, Rana, Nordland, Norway

This giant mosquito attracts attention – Never seen such a mosquito
As the weather gets warmer, the mosquito comes to life. Also in North Norway. But when Frank Pedersen enjoyed himself in the sun on 17 May, he was "attacked" by a mosquito he has never seen in Nordland before. It was Great house mosquito, Culiseta annulata.
Skarberget, Narvik, Nordland, Norway

Finland sees summer temperatures on spring's warmest day
For example, Espoo's district of Nuuksio recorded 24.8 degrees celsius (77 F) on Tuesday. Many people across the country took advantage of the warm temperatures and headed outdoors with some opting to go swimming in lakes or pools.
Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Dust Devil at Ringerike: Never seen anything like this
"It seemed like a normal day. It just showed up," says Torolv Røberg about the weather phenomenon. The dust devil was at least 100 meters high.
Steinssletta, Ringerike, Norway
Anders Wam Bjerkeseth, Laila Nguyen Engebretsen

Wind blown lake ice causing "ice tsunami"
Ole Martin Mortvedt was following a large ice floe floating on the lake. "Suddenly I heard a lot of crunching in the ice. Then I turned and saw the ice floe had hit land. It had such great speed that it could not stop." Mortvedt says he has never seen anything like it in his 58-year-long life.
Ringsaker, Norway

“Send help now”: Two mushers describe the events that led to their rescue from the Kobuk 440 race trail
After he lost the trail, Jeff King stopped his dog team and draped his sleeping bag over his head to block the battering wind and blowing snow. He was somewhere between the villages of Ambler and Shungnak in the Kobuk 440 Sled Dog Race. Conditions ranged from howling to furious. King lay down with his team. He cuddled a dog named Twister and tried to sleep. That’s when a flaw in the plan rattled his bones. The work of getting there had caused him to sweat, dampness worsened by blowing snow that found its way inside his clothing.
Shungnak, Alaska, United States

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

A Denali glacier is speeding downhill, potentially hampering climbers and increasing flood risk
Muldrow Glacier on the north side of Denali is surging for the first time since the 1950s — moving 50 to 100 times faster than its usual pace. The surge was first glimpsed by K2 Aviation pilot Chris Palm last month. “I was thinking it looks really difficult to get onto the glacier right now,” Palm said. “It’s all shattered and torn up and jagged ice and deep crevasses everywhere.” The event could impact mountaineers scheduled to use the north approach to the mountain .

Fearless Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Spotted in Far North Bicentennial Park in Anchorage
A red fox roams a popular recreation outlet in Anchorage, and gets quite close to people. Treat encounters with caution, as foxes can carry rabies and other diseases.
Far North Bicentennial Park, Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Ski areas across Alaska enjoy big-time snow days
For skiers and snowboarders looking for snowy fun within designated ski areas in Alaska, some spots have already extended their seasons.
Girdwood, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

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

A ‘unique’ sight: Rain brings waterfall to Australia’s Uluru
Tourists flocked to the national park to catch a glimpse of the rare phenomenon on Wednesday
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia
The Independent

On par with the BP Oil spill: Tons of sediment invade Kalamazoo River after dam drawdown
Sediment that could fill the volume of 112 Olympic-sized pools has been flooding into the Kalamazoo River for over a year. IT's decimating habitats and causing a serious potential for devastating flooding.
Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
WXMI

Amazing Aurora in Hope Alaska - Watch
Friday night was probably the best aurora display I've ever witnessed! I captured 4,883 exposures at 5 second intervals from just after 10pm until 5am the next morning.
Hope, Alaska, United States
YouTube

Magne Vorland got grey shark – shattered 43 year old Norwegian record
Magne Vorland (27) was surprised when he saw what was coming to the surface. "Unusual," says the expert.
Ålfjorden, Rogaland, Norway

Chasing the Muldrow Glacier: Denali’s Muldrow Glacier is surging for the first time in 64 years and scientists are rapidly responding
For the first time since the 1950s, Denali's Muldrow Glacier is surging! It is estimated that the glacier is currently advancing between 10-20 meters (30-60 ft) a day. This has major implications for the popular north side climbing route, and may lead to a significant flood of the McKinley River. The surge may have started as early as January of this year and could continue for several more months.
Muldrow Glacier, Denali Ntl. Park, Alaska
National Park Service, Denali Park & Preserve

Manatee Graveyard Found in Brevard as Mammals Die at Alarming Rate
The animals have been decaying on the isolated stretch of sand north of Manatee Cove Park
Rockledge, Florida, United States
Spectrum News

Here, huge amounts of ice are pushing towards the campsite
Rainfall and heavy temperatures caused huge amounts of ice to threaten to leave houses and caravans at Breim in Nordfjord.
Byrkjelo, Vestland, Norway
Geir Bjarte Hjetland, Per Kristian Grimeland

Gold Jackal seen for the first time in Norway
It is common to be found in Myanmar and in Southeastern Europe. Now the gold jackal is captured on film in Finnmark.
Ildskog, Porsanger, Finnmark Fylke, Norway

Early humpback sighting
A humpback whale spotted off Bremer Bay late last week is believed to be the earliest sighting ever of the species on WA’s south coast. Humpback whales are usually spotted of WA's south coast in late March or early April. The whale's early appearance has prompted concerns from scientists about the lack of food stocks in Antarctica.
Bremer Submarine Canyon
ABC News

Red sea mystery off Hawke's Bay coast
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council is taking tests and awaiting results from a likely algal bloom spreading across the sea off the Hawke's Bay coast. Coastwatchers say the reddish-brown discolouration has been growing over several weeks – visitors to the Bluff Hill lookout reported what may have been its early signs on January 31, when it appeared to be coming from a ship apparently circling at sea off the Port of Napier.
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
NZ Herald

Police believe large numbers of dead fish have a natural explanation
In Eikefjorden in Kinn municipality, large quantities of dead horse mackerel recently washed ashore. The whole thing will probably end up as a meal for birds and other fish-interested animals, the police say. The cause of the fish kill remains a mystery.
Eikefjord, Kinn, Vestland

High pressure system torpedoes temperatures
A high pressure system in western Canada is driving temperatures in Southeast Alaska through the floor, possibly hitting below zero at the Juneau International Airport for the first time in years.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Man mauled by bear while backcountry skiing in Southeast Alaska
The man was injured on his face and hands. Two members in the skiers party assisted with his injuries and communicate for help in 15 degree temperatures with sunset approaching. It was not immediately clear what triggered the mauling about 10 miles northwest of Haines.
Haines, Alaska, United States

Major winter storm blasts Cape Breton
Cape Breton finally looks like a winter wonderland. A quick-moving storm that raced across Atlantic Canada dropped about 37 cm of snow over the Sydney area.
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
The Telegram

Closed ski resorts have best snow in years
Andy Meldrum, of Glencoe Mountain, said his business is working towards a date when they can welcome back skiers and snowboarders. Despite the most magnificent conditions in 11 years, the slopes remain closed because of lockdown.
Aviemore, Scotland, United Kingdom
BBC News

Salmon freeze to death in the Skjoma river in Narvik – Statkraft refuses to release more water
The Skjoma River in Narvik is frozen through in several places – and locals fear the salmon population will have to endure a sharp reduction again. Statkraft says it will lose money if they release more water.
Skjoma, Narvik, Norway

Avalanche Causes Damage at Siglufjörður Skiing Grounds
No one was on the grounds when the avalanche occurred early this morning, though staff noticed it when they arrived in the area, located in Skarðsdalur valley. The ski lodge was displaced from its foundation by the avalanche.
Siglufjörður, Northeast, Iceland
Iceland Review

Howling winds topple trees, causing power outages and closing Yosemite
Strong winds left a path of destruction in the Valley overnight Monday and into Tuesday and led to the closure of the Yosemite National Park. Wind gusts of more than 100 miles per hour sounded like an angry animal.
Yosemite National Park, California, United States
ABC30 Fresno

Coast guard warns of thin ice
Finland is emerging from a deep freeze, giving way to milder temperatures and more snow. On Saturday three people in Helsinki fell through the ice at two different locations within the same 15-minute period.
Vihti, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Avalanche hits ski resort near Norilsk
Father missing under snow; more than 200 people continue search and rescue at -23C, snowstorm and bleak light of polar night.
Norilsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
Siberian Times

First record in Canada: Rare bird common in Japan seen in Yukon
A rare bird was spotted last week in Yukon. Birders flocked to Haines Junction last week to spot a hawfinch, which was thousands of kilometers out of its usual range.
Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada

The result is clear: 2020 is the hottest year ever in the country
Experts fear the future could be like the record year 2020: Shorter and warmer winters, wetter summers.
Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Louise Scharff Thommessen, Tiril Mettesdatter Solvang, Hallvard Nordum

Reeking whale carcasses plaguing Withernsea with sickening smell
Given the rarity of similar incidents, the whales have attracted a large crowd since Christmas Eve. On Boxing Day, the Coastguard confirmed that patrols have been taking place to ensure the safety of the public in the days since the animals were stranded.
Withernsea, England, United Kingdom
HullLive

Watch: Skaters glide on mirror-like ice
Scientists measured 16 centimeters of snow in Kilpisjärvi on Thursday, which is far less than the average depth of 39 centimeters for this time of year, according to Siiskonen. Less of the white stuff than usual, creating unusual opportunities for long-distance skating enthusiasts.
Kilpisjärvi, Lapland, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Vermilion flycatcher - A big red surprise
Late on the afternoon of Nov. 18, Kathy Marche, birding in Stephenville, came across a very colorful bird unfamiliar to her. She took photos but had to wait until she got home to look up the identification.
Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The Telegram

Moscow Sees Warmest Fall on Record
The average temperature for September, October and November was 3.2 degrees C, which is 4.4 C above normal.
Moscow, Moscow, Russia
The Moscow Times

The permafrost in Jotunheimen is thawing – We do not know the consequences
Underground, a mighty giant is disintegrating: the permafrost is about to drop its roof. Constantly creeping upwards, the permafrost zone is now 100 meters further up the mountainside than 20 years ago.
Mt. Juvvasshøe, Lom, Innlandet, Norway
Ragnhild Moen Holø, Even Lusæter, Roar Berntsen

Autumn rains eight times more then last year
A year ago Bergensarane was bathed in autumn sun. This autumn it was bathed in rain. In fact, it has come in eight times more rainfall in November this year than last year.
Bergen, Hordaland, Norway

Spring phenomenon in November: There goes the ice for the third time this fall
The warmest November in over 100 years has had unusual consequences in Finnmark. The video shows the third breakup this autumn.
Tana, Norway

Covid in Scotland: Social distancing could wreck mountain footpaths
A surge in the popularity of hillwalking during this year's coronavirus pandemic has seen daily visitor numbers at Ben Lomond grow from 1,000 on a normal sunny weekend to around 2,000. Walkers leaving official paths to avoid other people is causing hillside erosion and damage to vegetation.
Mt. Ben Lomand
BBC News

30 degrees warmer than last year
On Friday, it was measured 12.8 degrees C in Folldal, over 30 degrees warmer than on the same day last year.
Folldal, Innlandet, Norway

Visible Damage to Cancún's Trees
Trees which normally obscure the view of the sea, have lost all of their leaves.
Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Hurricane Zeta is ashore in resort zone of Mexico’s Yucatan
Zeta broke the record for the previous earliest 27th Atlantic named storm that formed Nov. 29, 2005. It’s also the 11th hurricane of the season. An average season sees six hurricanes and 12 named storms.
Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
WTOP

Dead giant octopuses washed ashore south from Kamchtka peninsula on the Kuril Islands
A mass die off of fish and invertebrates has been reported in the Sea of Okhotsk, west of Kamchatka. Dozens of surfers reported symptoms including including poor eyesight, fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes and head and throat aches.
Severo-Kuril’sk, Sakhalin, Russia
Siberian Times

Hurricane Delta lashes Mexico's Yucatan, then heads for US
Hurricane Delta emerged into the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and headed toward Louisiana after making landfall just south of the Mexican resort of Cancun, toppling trees and and cutting power to residents of the Yucatan peninsula’s resort-studded coast.
Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
AP NEWS

Debris from 3/11 disaster now washing ashore across Okinawa
Plastic containers washed out to sea after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster are starting to wash up on the shores of Okinawa Prefecture, leaving residents puzzled at the time it took for the items to travel just 2,000 kilometers.
Naha, Okinawa, Japan
The Asahi Shimbun

Eco disaster at Kamchatka peninsula with mass death of sea animals at precious Pacific beach
Khalaktyrsky Beach near Petropavlovsk is littered with hundreds of dead sea animals, from deep-sea Giant Pacific octopuses, to seals, sea urchins, stars, crabs and fish. Surfers were the first to raise alarm after problems with eyesight, fevers and throat aches.
Khalaktyrsky Beach
Siberian Times

No treasure found under the rainbow: The soil is full of plastic garbage
In the pictures, Måøya looks like a pristine natural gem on the coast of Trøndelag. But when scientists and adolescents started digging into the soil, they got shock.
Måøya, Frøya, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway
Solvår Flatås, Stein Lorentzen, Morten Andersen

After record-warm summer in Svalbard, extreme meltdown on the glacier
When glaciologist Jack Kohler returned to Austre Brøggerbreen in Svalbard, he was shocked. More than three meters of the ice at the glacier front had melted away. That's a record. And an ice tunnel had become a trench.
Austre Brøggerbreen, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Badger on the Finnmark plateau: – very strange, but also very fun
Odd Arne Hætta thought his dog Leo had found an elk, but it turned out to be something else entirely. Badgers are not common so far north but, sporadic cases have been observed in the past, including in Skibotn in Troms.
Čuonjájávri, Kautokeino, Norway
Marie Elise Nystad, Tom Stian Tretnes Hansen

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