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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

Western Washington faces 'catastrophic' flooding as two atmospheric rivers dump heavy rain
Western Washington braced for what the National Weather Service in Seattle called “catastrophic” conditions Wednesday as an atmospheric river drenched the state.
Auburn, Washington, United States

Japan issues tsunami warning after magnitude 7.6 earthquake
A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake near Hokkaido prompted Japan to issue a tsunami warning, highlighting both strong ground shaking and immediate coastal hazards for Sapporo and nearby communities. Details in the post are limited, but the alert suggests authorities anticipated potentially dangerous waves following the mainshock.
Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

Thousands remain without power as winds roar through Mat-Su
About 20,000 households were without power late Saturday afternoon, from Glacier View to Knik Goose Bay Road. Some railroad crossings were disabled due to wind damage.
Palmer, Alaska, United States
Mat-Su Sentinel

Magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes near Yakutat, kicking off a series of aftershocks
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck at 11:41 a.m. AKST on Dec. 6 about 58 miles north of Yakutat, Alaska, followed by a vigorous aftershock sequence with several above magnitude 5. No tsunami warning was issued and no injuries or damage had been reported as of early afternoon.
Yakutat, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

N.W.T. to support any school with drinking water as lead found at 4th Yellowknife school
Elevated lead levels were found in drinking water fixtures at Mildred Hall School in Yellowknife, the fourth Yellowknife school to test positive this year. The N.W.T. government will fund alternate drinking water for any territorial school while testing and remediation continue.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Maine set record low temperatures overnight
An arctic cold front drove overnight lows to record levels in Maine, with Portland hitting 2°F and Augusta 3°F and wind chills below zero. Communities opened warming centers as forecasters warned wind chills could drop to minus 30°F in parts of the state.
Portland, Maine, United States
The Portland Press Herald

Hotel guide on snowmobile breaks through ice on the Kalix River near Överkalix
A Grand Arctic Resort guide fell through river ice with a snowmobile on the Kalix River near a bridge in Överkalix while grooming winter trails. He got wet but climbed out uninjured; the snowmobile and sled sank and were to be salvaged the next day.
Överkalix, Norrbotten County, Sweden
NSD (Norrländska Socialdemokraten)

Warning about particulate pollution — vulnerable people should protect their health
Reykjavík’s Health Inspection warns of high particulate matter near major roads in Reykjavík and Kópavogur during calm, dry weather, advising children, older adults, and people with respiratory illness to avoid busy roads and for the public to use alternatives to private cars.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
Morgunblaðið (mbl.is)

Slippery-ice chaos creates queues at the Skellefteå emergency department: “Casting non‑stop”
SMHI warned of icy conditions in northern Sweden, and Skellefteå’s ER saw a surge of patients injured in falls. Staff report “casting non‑stop,” with most injuries linked to extremely slippery streets and sidewalks.
Skellefteå, Västerbotten County, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Ice conditions are extremely weak in Rovaniemi
Authorities in Rovaniemi warn that river ice is extremely weak and going onto the ice is life‑threatening. Locals and businesses are urged not to set a bad example for tourists unfamiliar with ice safety.
Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Rockfall in Nordkapp: Large boulders broke loose—safety measures likely needed
Large boulders broke loose from Klubbhaugen in Nordkapp on Sunday and fell toward the parking area below. Authorities indicate safety measures will likely be needed.
Nordkapp, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Ice crossings on Peel and Mackenzie Rivers affected by above-average fall temperatures
Above-average fall temperatures in the Northwest Territories have delayed ice crossings on the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers, with officials warning this may become more common. The Peel River crossing opened later than average for light vehicles, while the Mackenzie River crossing at Tsiigehtchic remains closed.
Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Bear attacks man in public toilet in Japan
Incident north of Tokyo comes after a record 13 deaths from bear attacks in Japan since the start of April
Maebashi, Gunma, Japan

Earthquake shakes Southcentral on Thanksgiving morning
A magnitude-6 earthquake struck at 8:11 a.m. AKST on Nov. 27, 2025, centered 37 miles northwest of Anchorage at a depth of 43 miles. Shaking was felt across Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Kenai Peninsula, and as far as Fairbanks.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Landslide: Norðoyatunnilin closed
A landslide just north of the Klaksvík tunnel entrance has closed Norðoyatunnilin, leaving long lines of vehicles stuck. Police cite widespread traffic problems due to heavy rain and urge extreme caution.
Klaksvík, Norðoyar, Faroe Islands
Dimma.fo

New avalanche in Finnmark: Avalanche danger has definitely increased
Multiple avalanches and high avalanche danger have closed roads in Finnmark, especially in the west, amid wind, snowdrift and icy conditions. Authorities report E69 and parts of Rv94 closed, with broader travel disruptions and warnings as milder, windier weather raises the risk.
Nordkapp, Finnmark, Norway
NRK

Storm, black ice and closed schools: Drive carefully
Norway faces widespread yellow alerts for strong winds and icy roads after a sudden thaw, with the worst conditions in Lofoten, Vesterålen and Finnmark. Bus, ferry, fast boat and some flight services are disrupted; schools closed in parts of Nordland.
Lofoten, Nordland, Norway
NRK

Ice glaze: Severe weather shuts down Bodø Airport
Freezing rain and slick runways halted flights at Bodø Airport, stranding 150–200 passengers overnight and disrupting air and ferry traffic across Nordland. Operations resumed around midday but with intermittent closures expected as conditions remain icy.
Bodø, Nordland, Norway
NRK
Katrine Olsen Sørgård; Marie Staberg; Thomas Fredrik Kristensen

West Dawson residents hunkering and hoping for Yukon River to freeze
With the ferry pulled for the season, West Dawson residents are waiting weeks for the Yukon River to freeze so they can cross, as unusually warm weather keeps water open. The delay disrupts access, raises safety concerns, and highlights increasingly unpredictable freeze-up.
Dawson City, Yukon, Canada
CBC News

Train disabled on the Nordland Line after reindeer collision
A train on the Nordland Line struck a herd of reindeer south of Trofors, lost power, and 63 passengers endured over four hours at -14°C before being evacuated by snowmobile and rail trolley. Several reindeer were killed amid ongoing seasonal movements that have caused multiple collisions in the area.
Grane, Nordland, Norway

Cancels all departures: “Can be life-threatening”
SJ has canceled all train departures between Narvik, Norway and Boden, Sweden due to extreme cold, warning the situation can be life-threatening.
Narvik, Nordland, Norway
Fremover

Rabid fox caught in trap
Another fox on Svalbard has tested positive for rabies after being caught in a trap, according to Svalbardposten.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
Svalbardposten

School field trip in Bella Coola turns into fight for survival as grizzly injures students, teacher
A grizzly bear charged a Grade 4–5 class from Acwsalcta School near the Bella Coola River, seriously injuring three students and a teacher; others sustained minor injuries. Authorities are searching for the bear and urging residents to avoid nearby forested areas and travel only by vehicle.
Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Hurricane Melissa winds hit record-breaking 252 mph, data confirms
Researchers recorded a record-breaking wind gust as Hurricane Melissa lashed the Caribbean in late October.
Kingston, Kingston, Jamaica

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