Driven by fierce Santa Ana winds, four intense fires near Los Angeles grew to engulf more than 115,000 acres Thursday, and officials say residents should be prepared for even more strong winds through Friday.

Wildfires have burned more than 100,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Fighting them were professionals and homeowners with garden hoses.

There has never been more use of hot water in the capital area in November than this year. The temperature that month was measured as quite cold according to the Icelandic Met Office, explaining the need for more hot water.

Rapid weather change, with snowfall.

Residents say mild weather makes toughing out the rain worthwhile

Manila Clam (Venerupis philippinarum) Die-off observed - possibly related to freezing temperatures.

Wildlife officials typically tell Yukoners to keep an eye out for bears coming out of hibernation in April. 'We don't generally get sightings reported this time of year.'

In Finland nothing means spring is around the corner more in the south than news that the brown bears at Helsinkis Korkeasaari Zoo have woken from their winters sleep. Zoo employees say the 16 and 11-year-old females hibernation is increasingly cut shorter as the years pass.

No sea ice; hunters say it should not be like this today.

Flowers blooming near the mouth of the Klamath River

A robin was sighted in southcentral Alaska; an early arrival.

Construction is beginning today on the ice road connecting Yellowknife to Dettah on the N.W.T.'s Yellowknife Bay, but a warm November means that it will open in January for the second time since the 2006/2007 season, and the second year in a row.

Hazardous driving conditions due to freezing rain.

An unusual morning haze "winter fog", was observed, attributed to a layer of moist air trapped near the ground.

Early Salmonberry Blossoms in February on Kodiak Island

The start of January 2016 felt like it was early springtime.

Warm weather has made for unsafe traveling conditions, including a snowmachine race.