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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

Erie records record-high temperature of 93 Wednesday
The 93-degree temperature was recorded at 2:13 p.m.
Erie, Pennsylvania, United States
GoErie.com

Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) in Campbell River
Guy Monty and Mark Wynja photographed a Common Ringed Plover at Oyster Bay on Sept 5-2018. They were there to view a reported Buff-breasted...
Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
BC Rare Bird Alert

Squirrel population surges in Northeast, as does roadkill
Biologists say plentiful food and other conditions are helping the rodents to thrive, and now the young ones are hitting the road.
Cape Neddick, Maine, United States
Press Herald

Dawson City had wettest August in 54 years
According to Environment Canada’s senior climatologist David Phillips, it was the third-wettest August in Dawson since records began in 1897.
Dawson, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Small Deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) Found with Signs of Injury or Illness
Small, approachable, deer found with possible broken jaw, discolored saliva, and injury on hindquarter.
Larsen Bay, Alaska, United States

Poaching: Almost 90 elephants dead in biggest ever slaughter in Africa
Botswana's 2018 Wildlife Aerial Survey has revealed large-scale poaching of the country's elephants with conservationists saying so far, 87 carcasses have been found.
The South African

Farmed Salmon Caught in Icelandic Rivers
Three farmed salmon have been caught in the Westfjords this season. Farmed salmon have a tendency to swim up rivers later in the season than wild salmon, meaning the true number of escapees may not be apparent until the end of the fishing season.
Isafjordur, Westfjords, Iceland
Iceland Review

Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) mortality from drought stress
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

After 3 days, ‘stressed’ sea lion that ventured into Sitka can’t find its way back to the ocean
Why did the sea lion cross the road? Scientists don't know yet.
Sitka, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Indigenous reindeer herders request emergency aid after drought, wildfires
The Swedish Saami Association is demanding a comprehensive aid package from Stockholm after a season of unprecedented drought and wildfire ravaged the country, including key reindeer grazing areas.
Swedish Sapmi
RCI | English

Pod of Pilot Whales Unexpectedly Spotted in Westfjords
A marine biologist at the Marine and Freshwater Research institute who specializes in whales says that it’s rare for pilot whales to venture so far north, but said that it’s possible that the pilot whales' appearance in Iceland’s waters can be credited to warming ocean temperatures.
Isafjordur, Westfjords, Iceland
Iceland Review

Tons Of Dead Fish Washing Ashore On Florida Beaches
Southwest Florida is reeling from a toxic algae bloom called red tide. Hundreds of tons of dead fish are washing up on beaches.
Bradenton, Florida, United States
NPR.org

Severe Bank Erosion from Permafrost Thaw
Thawing and eroding is destroying river bank, impacting access, threatening infrastructure, and causing safety concerns.
Selawik, Alaska, United States

Boston breaks temperature record
The temperature at Logan International Airport rose to 97 degrees shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday, topping a record set in 1953.
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
BostonGlobe.com

Fewer Summer Insects
I started looking for insects months ago only to find them significantly absent from this area.
Marietta, Georgia, United States

Nunavut hunter killed by polar bear and cub
A man from Nunavut has been killed in a polar bear attack, according to local RCMP. A polar bear mother and cub were destroyed at the scene. This is the second fatal polar bear attack in Nunavut this summer
Naujaat, Nunavut
CBC

Late Blooming Rose (Rosa acicularis) Documented in Newspaper
Front page of the Daily News-Miner documents a late blooming rose during a colder than average August.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Survivor recalls deadly encounter with polar bears
A Nunavut hunter who survived a polar bear attack that killed one of his friends last week says the encounter started when a mother bear and her cub approached their camp.
Nunavut, Canada
CBC

Bears are coming into Whitehorse looking for berries
The problem is that there just aren't many wild berries this year in southern Yukon. Bears are typically feasting on soap berries and cranberries this time of year, as they try to fatten up before winter.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

Maine heat flirts with the record books, disrupting some school schedules
Temperatures in southern Maine topped 90 degrees Tuesday and are expected to do the same Wednesday, prompting school officials to dismiss students early and cancel sports practices, and sending people flocking to beaches.
Portland, Maine, United States
Press Herald

Hawaii’s rain from Hurricane Lane, topping 50 inches, is among most extreme in U.S. records
The total amount of rain, measured in feet, soared to historic levels: Over four feet or 52.02 inches were measured on Mountain View, about 15 miles southwest of Hilo.
Hilo, Hawaii, United States

Giant 50,000 pound whale washes up on beach shore
Scientists are working to find the cause of death of a massive 50,000 pound whale that washed up on shore.
Duxbury, Massachusetts, United States
ABC13 Houston

Red sunset in store as North American wildfire smoke spreads across Finland
Seija Paasonen has been tracking the patterns of the North American forest fires for several weeks now. She says that the smoke has traveled as far as Europe owing to wind patterns in the upper atmosphere.
Kainuu, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Tornado strikes Icelandic farm
A large 4x4 with trailer was found overturned in a ditch, fencing had been flattened, and roof panels from seven buildings were found 100 metres away from their roofs when the family returned to Norðurhjáleiga farm.
Kirkjubaejarklaustur, South, Iceland
RÚV

Record Numbers Of Beaked Whale Deaths Cause Alarm
The IWDG says a minimum of 16 beaked whale deaths were recorded along the North West coast of Ireland from Galway to Donegal between 3 and 22 August, 2018.
Galway, Ireland
Afloat.ie

More than 1,000 dead fish at Malibu Lagoon may be tied to record-warm ocean temperatures
California State Parks scientists are running tests this week to determine what caused about 1,500 fish to die in Malibu Lagoon last week, but officials suspect higher-than-normal water temperatures may have played a role.
Malibu, California
latimes.com

2nd right whale death of year reported off of Massachusetts
A member of a species of critically endangered whale that is struggling with poor reproduction has been found dead off of Massachusetts.
Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts, United States
Associated Press

Rare Walrus Sighting in East Iceland
A lone hiker in East Iceland found a wandering walrus, and managed to snap some fantastic photos.
Isafjordur, Westfjords, Iceland
Iceland Review

'No grass': Europe's livestock sector stricken by drought
Mediterranean countries long ago adapted their farming practices to little rain, but this year it is the north of Europe confronting a widespread drought that could see farmers having to send much of their herds to slaughter due to a lack of feed.
Northern Europe
YAHOO!

Spruce Rust (Chrysomyxa ledicola) Appearing on Spruce Trees (Picea mariana)
The spruce along the highway between mile 157 and 162 show signs of stress, the tips of the branches are orangish and the deep green of the trees are fading.
Slana, Alaska, United States

Full report: Damage exceeds $100 million as Madison area braces for more rain, flooding in wake of this week's massive deluge
Record-setting rainfall caused massive flooding in Dane County that killed a man, washed out roads and bridges and heavily damaged property.
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Wisconsin State Journal

Investigators, experts ask questions after ship grounded in Arctic
Investigators are on their way to Kugaaruk, Nunavut, after a passenger boat ran aground in the area.
Kugaaruk, Nunavut, Canada

Tests find dead seals had avian flu and distemper viruses
Many of the dead seals that washed ashore in northern New England in the past few weeks tested positive for either avian influenza or phocine distemper virus, but it is still too soon to say if those viruses are the primary causes of the unusual die-off.
Portland, Maine, United States
Lewiston Sun Journal

Reindeer herders say that if they don't get emergency funding, the animals may starve to death
“This is about the survival of the reindeer, and of Sami culture, which depends on them,” said Niila Inga, chair of the Swedish Sami Association.
Dikanäs, Västerbottens län, Sweden
Newsweek

High River Water Overflow
Heavy spring precipitation leads to strong river flow, sweeping away cabin and fish rack.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Bracing for Lane: County, state prepare as significant rain, flooding and high winds are expected from hurricane - Hawaii Tribune-Herald
President Trump approved Gov. David Ige’s request for a disaster declaration Wednesday as powerful Hurricane Lane spiraled closer to Hawaii.
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Nine Whales Stranded in Eastfjords
Nine whales have been stranded so far this year in East Iceland. Bottlenose whales and Curvier’s beaked whales are members of the family Ziphiidae and it’s often been said that they are more sensitive to noise pollution in the ocean.
Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland

New England Seals Test Positive for Avian Flu and Distemper
Preliminary results suggest that avian flu and/or phocine distemper virus may be contributing to the elevated seal strandings in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts since June 1, 2018.
Lewiston, Maine, United States
NOAA

Drought has volunteers walking Cowichan Lake area’s dry rivers and creek-beds looking for stranded fish fry
Plans are underway for raising the weir: a reflection of widespread concern, says Ken Traynor
Cowichan Lake Area, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

Hot, arid summer guts a third of Sweden's cereal harvest
An unusually dry, hot summer means Sweden will see smaller yields of crops like wheat, barley and oats.
Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden
Eye on the Arctic

McCarthy Road reopened after being rocked by mudslide
Rain caused mudslides are affecting roads in the southeastern Interior. The Alaska Department of Transportation reports that the McCarthy Road was shut down by a slide last night. Listen now
McCarthy, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) in Port Renfrew
A White-winged Dove was photographed at the Port Renfrew Marina at 11:57 am on August 22-2018 but was misidentified as a Band-tailed Pigeon...
Port Renfrew, British Columbia, Canada

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) near Malcolm Island
Gord Curry and Ted Down found an adult Brown Booby sitting on a log in Queen Charlotte Strait, NW of Pultney Point Lighthouse on Malcolm Island, while they were fishing.
Queen Charlotte Strait
BC Rare Bird Alert

‘Atmospheric river’ from the tropics pours rain on Southcentral Alaska
Days of rain have triggered flooding in Cordova and slowed drivers on the Taylor Highway and McCarthy Road.
Cordova, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Arctic’s strongest sea ice breaks up for first time on record
The oldest and thickest sea ice in the Arctic has started to break up, opening waters north of Greenland that are normally frozen. This phenomenon – which has never been recorded before – has occurred twice this year due to warm winds and a climate-change driven heatwave in the northern hemisphere.
Northern Greenland
the Guardian

Damage widespread, 1 dead after record rainfall causes flash flooding in Dane County
An epic rainfall swept one man to his death, washed out bridges, swamped homes, cars and businesses, and marooned dozens of shoppers overnight at a Middleton discount store Monday.
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
madison.com
BILL NOVAK, ROB SCHULTZ and CHRIS HUBBUCH Wisconsin State Journal

Northernmost American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) Observation on iNaturalist
The American Bullfrog is native to the Eastern United States and southern maritime provinces of Canada. It has famously spread west and now north in recent decades.
Inland Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
iNaturalist.org

6.4 earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in region
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake rattled a remote region of Alaska's North Slope southeast of Prudhoe Bay Sunday morning. The state seismologist called it the biggest quake ever recorded in the region.
Kaktovik, Alaska, United States
Arctic Sounder

New Mexico plateau named for birds seeing them die off
A 10-year study on the Pajarito Plateau shows a 73 percent decrease in abundance and a 45 percent decrease in variety of species.
Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States
Santa Fe New Mexican

Rare snowfall reported in Uruguay
Brazilian and North American meteorologists both agreed it was snow that was seen falling in parts of Uruguay on Sunday, August 19, 2018. Since Uruguay is located within the temperate zone of the tropic of Capricorn, the country has warm summers and ...
Uruguay
The Watchers - Daily news service | Watchers.NEWS

Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) Sighting in Utqiaġvik
Unusual Stellar sea lion (*Eumetopias jubatus*) sighting in Utqiaġvik.

Rare Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) Sighting
Wood frog sighted on trail.
Ester, Alaska, United States

A summer without insect stings
Fewer wasp and mosquito interactions in Anchorage in 2018 than typical.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

NOAA survey shows shocking lack of thermal barrier between northern and southern Bering Sea
The “thermal curtain” is another expression for “cold pool” that acts as a barrier to keep some species—pollock and Pacific cod, for example — from migrating across the eastern Bering Sea shelf and northward toward the Bering Strait. For the first time in 37 years of surveying the Bering Sea, we could not find the cold water barrier.
Diomede, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Unidentified Beetle Pupa Found Near River Bank
Unidentified beetle pupa found near camp on a river bank.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Race against time: Engineers use Apex River to refill Iqaluit's water supply
Stantec engineering designed the plans for pumping water from the Apex River to Lake Geraldine, the city's reservoir, which has lower water levels than in years past.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada

Hundreds Killed as Kerala, India, Hit by Worst Floods Since 1920s
Torrential rains left at least 324 people dead, and hundreds of thousands more have been made homeless.
Kerala, India
New York Times

Thick smoke in the Alberni Valley, lasting days
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada

B.C. declares state of emergency as hundreds of wildfires burn across province
The British Columbia government has declared a state of emergency to support the provincewide response to the ongoing wildfire situation.
British Columbia, Canada

Over 30 dead harbor seals wash ashore in southern Maine in 2 days
Marine mammal experts are testing tissue samples for a potential common cause of the surge in carcasses found on the state's beaches this year.
Saco, Maine, United States
Press Herald

High Concentrations of PCB in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) sample
High concentrations of Polychlorinated Biphenyls found in blue mussels.
Dutch Harbor, Alaska, United States

Alaska seabird die-off continues for another summer
Carcasses examined so far have shown no indication of disease, and tests are pending for harmful algal toxins. Seabirds have been found emaciated and starved, and changed ocean conditions may have affected prey.
Gambell, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Hot weather continues to cause problems for railways
Buckled train tracks, fires and thunderstorms are causing major problems for the country's railways, Thursday.
Gotlands län, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Unusual Grasshopper Sighting
Grasshopper seen in area with typically few sightings
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Typically-tropical great egret nests in Finland for first time
Sightings of great egrets have been reported for decades, but sightings this summer confirm the first time the species has nested in Finland.
Porvoo, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Ship Creek Almost Dry
We have visited this creek every summer for 10 years, since 2008, including every August, and we have never seen the water this low.
Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
Phoebe Okey-Dobie, Theo Okolowicz, Tom Okey

Cruise ship exhaust prompts complaints to state authorities
Exhaust emissions from a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel docking in Juneau prompted at least 10 complaints to an Alaska regulatory agency.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

State reroutes Dalton Highway to protect motorists from migrating ‘blob’
Transportation engineers moved the road to avoid a giant mass of frozen debris sliding downhill.
Livengood, Alaska, United States

The seaweed deluge hitting Caribbean shores
Sargassum, a type of seaweed, is creating problems as it washes up across the Caribbean.
Caribbean Shores
BBC News

Few complaints as heat decimates Finland’s mosquitoes
There are unusually low numbers of mosquitoes throughout Finland this sweltering summer – and likely fewer than usual next year as well.
Rovaniemi, Lappi, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Fraser River is now so warm it may kill migrating sockeye salmon
Sockeye salmon are migrating up B.C.'s Fraser River right now, but the water is so warm the fish may die before they have the chance to spawn.
Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada

San Diego's Scripps Pier records highest ocean temperature in its 102-year history
The high temperatures might be left over from the warm-water "blob" off California in 2014.
La Jolla, California, United States
latimes.com

Portugal breaks temperature records as Europe swelters under heatwave
Eight places in Portugal broke local temperature records Friday as a wave of heat from North Africa swept across the Iberian peninsula — and officials predicted the scorching temperatures could get even worse over the weekend.
Abrantes, Santarém, Portugal
CBC News

Poison Lake fire closes section of Yukon's Robert Campbell Highway
The government banned campfires Friday at the Watson Lake, Simpson Lake, Frances Lake and Big Creek territorial campgrounds in southeast Yukon. Fire danger ratings remain extreme or high for most of the territory.
Watson Lake, Yukon, Canada

Flooding fears spark evacuations in US city
Authorities warn 17ft of water could hit Lynchburg in Virginia in minutes if a dam overspills.
Lynchburg, Tennessee, United States
BBC News

Bottlenose Whales Spotted in Northern and Eastern Fjords
An unusually high number of northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) have been sighted in fjords in North and East Iceland.
Þórshöfn, Northeast, Iceland

Blue-green algae confirmed as cause of dogs' sudden deaths
Necropsy results show blue-green algae caused the deaths of three dogs playing near the St. John River more than a week ago.
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Sweden’s Tallest Peak Shrinks in Record Heat
Soaring temperatures are melting snow and ice from Kebnekaise’s southern peak, making the northern part of the mountain Sweden’s highest point.
Kebnekaise, Kiruna, Sweden
New York Times

Toxic algae bloom closes beach at state park in Northern NY
The beach at a state park in upstate New York has been closed because of a toxic algae bloom.
Moreau Lake, New York, United States
WCAX

Algae bloom closes part of Lake Micmac to people, dogs
Algae blooms may produce toxins that can cause mild to severe health problems, says Cameron Deacoff, an environmental performance officer with the municipality.
Lake Micmac, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
CBC News

90 percent of Lake Okeechobee smothered in blue-green algae bloom
EUMETSAT satellite shows blue-green algae bloom covering Lake Okeechobee.
Lake Okeechobee, Florida, United States
TCPalm

Devastating drought, heat wave hammer farmers across northern Europe
Farmers in around a dozen countries across northern Europe — from Ireland to the Baltics — are grappling with a once-in-a-generation drought.
Nykøbing Sjælland, Zealand, Denmark
NBC News

Record-breaking heat leaves 29 dead in South Korea
As many as 29 people have died due to heatstroke in South Korea, according to the South Korean Ministry of Health, Welfare and Disease Control.
Seoul, South Korea
WFMZ
JUNGEUN KIM, JENNIFER KIM AND EUAN MCKIRDY, CNN

Record Arctic heat drives reindeer into cool tunnels
The region is so hot that it has experienced 12 "tropical" nights with evening temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius so far this year, according to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.
Finnmark, Norway
The Local

Possible algae bloom turns seawater red off Juneau
The overriding theory is that it's a bloom of algae brought on by rising water temperatures.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Blue-green algae bloom in Desbarats Lake
Not all blooms are harmful but some types can make humans and animals sick when breathed-in, swallowed or touched
Desbarats Lake, Ontario, Canada
SooToday.com

Spring rains helped but parts of the Panhandle remain in drought
Southeast Alaska has dropped into drought conditions off and on for the past two or more years. Spring rains and snow melt helped refill lakes and reservoirs but a dry, hot July pushed the southern Panhandle into a deeper deficit.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States
KTUU

Algae in LaBelle: A second round of algal blooms on the way?
As the Southwest Florida community works to clean toxic algae from waterways, some are seeing signs that a second round could be headed their direction. “Unfortunately it looks likes like a repeat of what we saw last time,” said Mark Richey of North Fort Myers. Just seven weeks ago, the WINK News Drone showed a …
LaBelle, Florida, United States
WINK NEWS

3 men sentenced for wading in river with feeding bears at Katmai
One of the men was caught on a livestream camera wading into Brooks Falls and taking a selfie in front of the bears.
Alaska Public Media

Blue-green algae bloom in Heritage Lake
Alberta Health Services has issued a health advisory for Heritage Lake, near Morinville, until further notice. Blue-green algae blooms have been Alberta Health Services has issued a health advisory for Heritage Lake, near Morinville, until further notice.
Heritage Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
St. Albert Gazette

Snow and hail blanket southern Alberta highway — in July
Highway 22 in southern Alberta was blanketed in what looked like snow but was probably hail, making roads slick and slow.
Sparwood, British Columbia, Canada

Hatzic Lake closed following reports of dead fish, discoloured water
Swimmers have reported feeling nausea, itchy skin and irritated eyes after vising the popular lake.
Hatzic Lake, British Columbia, Canada
CTV News Vancouver

Spruce Rust (Chrysomyxa ledicola) Found on Kuskokwim River Bank
Spruce rust (*Chrysomyxa ledicola*) fungal spores found along the banks on the Kuskokwim River
Red Devil, Alaska, United States

Algae blooms closes Moreau Lake swimming beach
MOREAU - The Moreau Lake State Park swimming beach has been closed due to an algal bloom causing potential health hazards, a spokesman for the state Officer Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said Wednesday.
The beach was closed Tuesday afternoon as a precaution, said Dan Keefe, a spokesman for State Parks in Albany.
Moreau Lake, New York, United States
Times Union

Blue-green algae blooms sighted in Lac La Nonne, Peanut Lake
Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued two advisories last week regarding blue-green algae blooms in Peanut Lake and Lac La Nonne. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, is a naturally-occurring photosynthetic organism that often becomes visible when weather conditions are calm. Appearing as scum, fuzz, grass clippings or globs on the surface of water, blue-green algae
Lac La Nonne, Alberta, Canada
Barrhead Leader

Massive Arrival of Sargasso Weed
Mexico, Jul 30 (Prensa Latina) The massive arrival of sargasso on the coasts of Quintana Roo, one of Mexico's main tourist centers, is causing concern among tourists, researchers, authorities, businessmen and residents.
Quintana Roo, Mexico
Prensa Latina

Swedish town on the frontline of the Arctic wildfires
A sleepy Lapland fire station is calling in help from all corners to fight the unprecedented wildfires sweeping the region.
Jokkmokk, Norrbottens län, Sweden
The Guardian

Florida Algae Blooms Send People to Hospital, Kill Marine Wildlife
Nearly 4,000 dead fish were counted on Sanibel area beaches and parks.
Saint Lucie River, Florida, United States
The Weather Channel

New Brunswickers reminded about potential health risk of blue-green algae
The warning from New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health comes less than a week after three dogs died as a result of what is suspected to be a blue-green algae bloom.
Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada
Global News

Whale-dolphin hybrid species discovered off coast of Hawaii
A rare whale-dolphin hybrid species has been discovered off the coast of Hawaii, scientists say. The animal is the first-ever documented offspring of a rough-toothed dolphin and the rare melon-headed whale, a team from the Cascadia Research Collective concluded in a report released this week.
Kaua'i, Hawaii, United States
The Independent

Wildfire 'tornado' destroyed 500 structures, killed 2
A local firefighter who was killed fighting a fast-moving wildfire was identified Friday as crews continued to battle the blaze in Redding, California.
Redding, California, United States
USA TODAY

Scientists puzzled by right whale's appearance off Iceland
But an Icelandic whale-watching crew spotted the right whale named Mogul three times this week, leaving a research scientist wondering why the animal ventured so far.
Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland
Eye on the Arctic

Nearly 300 Sea Turtles Dead as Red Tide Plagues Southwest Florida
Hundreds of sea turtles have washed up dead along the southwest Florida coast as an ongoing red tide event persists in the waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has logged 287 sea turtle deaths since the virulent algal bloom started in October, the Associated Press reported.
Southwest Florida coast, United States
EcoWatch

Vegetable prices spiking because of heatwave
Vegetable prices are rising rapidly in Japan after a deadly heatwave saw highs of more than 40C. Record-breaking temperatures triggered a spike in the cost of some foods with increases of up to 65 per cent.  An agriculture ministry official in Tokyo warned about "pretty severe price moves" for vegetables if predictions of more weeks of hot weather held up, resulting in less rain than usual.
Japan, 東京都東京都
The Independent

Red-brown algae blooms spotted in Puget Sound
If you see something that looks like tomato soup in Puget Sound, here's why.
Puget Sound, Washington, United States
KING

After deadly wildfires, floods hit Greek capital
Firefi­ghters say around 160 reside­nts have been briefl­y trappe­d in their homes due to the floodi­ng
Ekali, Αττικη, Greece
The Express Tribune

Algae blooms disrupt Cape Coral canals with foul odor, green spray-paint look
Algae blooms have infiltrated much of the Cape Coral canal system, creating a foul odor and a green, spray-paint tint to some of the water.
Cape Coral, Florida, United States
The News-Press

Wildfire smoke from as far as Ontario and Siberia affecting air quality
Seniors, children and people with chronic health issues are advised to stay indoors and use air conditioning where possible.
British Columbia, Canada
CKNW

Wildfires Kill Dozens Near Athens
They've forced evacuations of popular beach towns just outside the city.
Rafina, Αττικη, Greece
Condé Nast Traveler

Wildfires in Idaho: Highway 55 fire grows to 3,500 acres; 423 battling fire near Riggins
Numerous large wildfires are burning around Idaho. The Rattlesnake Creek Fire south of Riggins and the Milemarker 73-Idaho 55 Fire north of Horseshoe Bend are causing significant hazards for residents, travelers and firefighters.
Riggins, Idaho, United States
Idaho Statesman

Wave after wave of garbage hits the Dominican Republic
The images are shocking, but perhaps not for people who live in the Dominican Republic.'It happens pretty much all the time,' says Cyrill Gutsch
Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
National Post

With 28 fires out of control, Ontario gets help from U.S., Mexico, other provinces
Crews fighting forest fires in northern Ontario are receiving help from other provinces, the U.S. and Mexico as they try to contain several blazes after days of hot and humid weather.
Hartley Bay, Ontario, Canada

Ontario's dry weather has mice looking for a way into houses
The drought gripping the Ottawa area isn't just burning grass and stunting corn crops. Mice are increasingly finding their way into homes and apartment buildings in search of water.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Decomposed whale washes up on Old Orchard Beach, draws crowd
The smelly carcass, identified as that of an adult male minke whale, is the second large marine animal to turn up on shore in southern Maine in the past week.
Old Orchard Beach, Maine, United States

Wildfires rage in Lapland, more threaten Finland from the east
Grass and forest fires are proving difficult to contain in Finnish Lapland, and now several fires on the Russian side of the border are moving into Finland.
Kittilä, Lappi, Finland

Sun blanked out in Arctic Siberia
Locals in north of Yakutia said daylight was completely gone for several hours. After the sun returned, locals found thick layer of dust covering everything outside.
North Yakutia, Russia
Siberian Times

Melting of glacier causes flash floods in Pakistan's north
Pakistani officials say the melting of a glacier has unleashed landslides and floods in the country’s northern district of Ghizer, inundating dozens of homes and displacing hundreds of people. Mohammad Khalid, a local police official, said Friday that authorities are sending relief supplies to the flood-hit villages.
Peshawar, N.W.F.P., Pakistan
AP News

Heavy rain causes flash flooding, more rainfall expected
Rainfalls of unprecedented intensity caused flash floods in several parts of the country and serious flooding in Bayan-Ulgii, Selenge and Tuv aimag.
Selenge, Mongolia
MONTSAME News Agency

Milky Blue Water Near Prince of Wales Island
Warmer waters likely enabled a phytoplankton bloom to occur much later in the year than normal off the coast of Alaska and British Columbia.
Craig, Alaska, United States

Polar Bears Appear Where They Never Were Before
Polar bears have been rummaging through science camps at the top of Greenland's ice sheet far inland, where they were never expected, and Polar bears are coming into communities more often these days, says Kristin Laidre, a marine biologist at the University of Washington’s Polar Science Center, and an authority on polar bear populations in Greenland. “It’s happening all over the Arctic, and it’s something that’s only going to be an increasing problem as we continue to lose sea ice,” she says.
Summit Camp, Greenland
National Geographic

Salmon numbers continue to drop in Newfoundland rivers
DFO science recommends closing salmon rivers to retention angling for remainder of season.
Newfoundland, Canada
The Telegram

Glacier melt creates artificial lake in Gilgit
A small glacier melt has swollen Barsuwat Nullah in the Ishkoman valley of Ghizer district, Gilgit-Baltistan, creating an artificial lake and blocking the flow of the Immit River. Water has submerged more than 30 houses, cultivated land, a link road and cattle farms.
DAWN.COM

A Dry Norway Needs Iceland’s Hay
Extensive droughts in Norway have led the country to turn to Iceland for much-needed hay​.
Norway

Authorities, residents brace for record flooding
Weather authorities and residents are getting used to responding to glacial floods in the Mendenhall Valley.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Slow Red Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) Run
Slow sockeye salmon (*Oncorhynchus nerka*) runs in the Aleutians potentially linked to warming ocean temperatures.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States

Flying Ants Invade Moscow
While the airborne ants may be a nuisance, Moscow City Hall’s environmental protection department said they are not dangerous.
Moscow, Moscow, Russia
The Moscow Times

In the Columbia–Snake River Basin, Salmon Are Losing Their Way
As the fish disappear, native peoples are looking for solutions lest they lose a way of life too.
Columbia and Snake Rivers, United States
NRDC

Wildfires rage in Arctic Circle as Sweden calls for help
Sweden worst hit as hot, dry summer sparks unusual number of fires, with at least 11 in the far north.
Älvdalen, Dalarnas län, Sweden
the Guardian

'Red tide' algal blooms appearing around B.C. coastal waters
A species commonly referred to as “red tide” has been spotted around B.C. coastal waters over the past month.
Coastal Waters, British Columbia, Canada
CBC News

Heatwave Threatens Nordic Crops as Lapland Gets New Heat Record
As the chart below shows, there’s no let up until early August when the temperatures could start to fall back toward more normal summer levels. Even in Finnish Lapland, the home of Santa, a new heat record of 33.4 degrees Celsius (92 Fahrenheit) was reached on Wednesday.
Rovaniemi, Lappi, Finland
Bloomberg

Asthma deaths rise 25% amid growing air pollution crisis
Doctors urge ministers to act as 1,320 killed by asthma in England and Wales last year
England and Wales, United Kingdom
the Guardian

New tick discovered in New York and Vermont
The tick is not native to the U.S., but was found in several locations in Westchester County.
Westchester County, New York, United States
WTEN

More than 90 deaths now linked to heat wave in Quebec
New report suggests 53 deaths in Montreal alone are linked to elevated temperatures in early July.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
thestar.com

Record-breaking heat hits Norway, Finland and Sweden / Arctic Circle closes on 32C
An intense heat dome has swelled over Scandinavia, spurring some of the region's hottest weather ever recorded.
Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden
National Post

Walleye Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in salmon nets
Billie Shraffenberger is a longtime resident of Port Heiden. This is the first time she has caught a fish like the one she found in her subsistence salmon net this summer.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

Hundreds of Arctic glaciers shrinking, disappearing into 'city of icebergs'
The statistics in her recently published paper say it all: hundreds of glaciers in Canada's High Arctic are shrinking and many are likely to disappear completely.
Slidre Fjord, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut

5,000 percent increase in native trees on rat-free Palmyra Atoll
New research published in PLOS ONE this week demonstrates dramatic positive benefits for native trees following rat removal at Palmyra Atoll, a magnificent National Wildlife Refuge and natural research laboratory located about 1000 miles south of Hawaii. For five native tree species, including Pisonia grandis, fewer than 150 seedlings were counted in the presence of rats, and more than 7700 seedlings were counted five years after rats were removed.
Palmyra Atoll
EurekAlert!

Warning issued after toxic death cap mushrooms found in Greater Victoria
The highly toxic death cap mushroom, responsible for the death of a Victoria toddler in 2016, has already been found growing in Greater Victoria, much earlier than expected.
Cedar Hill Golf Course, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Times Colonist

Lots of bees!
More bees seen enjoying sweet clover thus year than in recent years.

Dog owners issued warning as deer ticks move into Calgary backyards
Deer ticks have made the jump from the mountains to city backyards, putting your dog at risk of contracting Lyme disease in the summer heat.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Dead Sea Mammal and Sea Birds on the Beach
Residents of Chevak and Hooper Bay found two species of sea bird either dead or approachable near the mouth of the Kiuqliiviq and Aprun rivers near fish camps. Residents of Hooper Bay also found a dead sea mammal on the beach.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States

Fireweed Clearwing Moth (Albuna pyramidalis) Sighting
Fireweed Clearwing Moth (*Albuna pyramidalis*) found in south Anchorage.

Mountain pine beetle takes over Jasper National Park forests
The iconic pine trees blanketing Jasper National Park may never be the same as a mountain pine beetle epidemic has infected nearly half of the park's pine forest.
Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Edmonton Journal

First Observation of Northern Groundcone (Boschniakia rossica)
The northern gorundcone (*Boschniakia rossica*)s not commonly found in this area.
Crooked Creek, Alaska, United States

Almost every part of Canada’s largest national park is deteriorating
The report on Wood Buffalo National Park says industry, dams, climate change and natural cycles are sucking the lifeblood from the vast delta of northeastern Alberta's Peace and Athabasca rivers
Wood Buffalo National Park
National Post

‘No fish and no hope’: Poor sockeye salmon run takes a toll on Chignik
As of Friday afternoon, the sockeye escapement in the Chignik salmon fishery was less than half of what it usually is this time of the year.
Chignik, Alaska, United States

Nearly entire Gulf of Finland overrun with blue-green algae
With current tropical conditions set to continue for another week, the situation is not likely to improve before the end of July or early August.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland

New Maps Appear To Show Crimea Is Drying Up
According to Ukraine, vegetation in Crimea is drying up at record levels.
Kiev, Kyiv City, Ukraine
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

Concern over raging wildfires as smoke from Siberia crosses Alaska and Canada, reaching New England
Latest reports show 27 fires across Krasnoyarsk region covering 8,682 hectares in. Areas potentially threatening settlements. The forest fire situation is most difficult in Siberia and the Far East, in the Sakha region.
Красноярск, Красноярский край, Russia
Siberian Times

Wisconsin reports first death from Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an uncommon but potentially deadly tick-borne disease that's on the rise in the United States.
Wisconsin, United States
CNN

Phytoplankton Bloom near Prince of Wales Island
Ocean water has a green tint near Craig and Klawock, Alaska.
Craig, Alaska, United States

After a long wait, Ugashik fishermen’s patience pays off
After a very slow beginning to their season, fishermen in Ugashik Bay saw millions of sockeye salmon return in a little over a week in mid-July.
Pilot Point, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

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