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

Officials find pregnant Hawaiian monk seal dead on beach
Wildlife officials reported the death of a pregnant Hawaiian monk seal who was found at a beach on Kauai.
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
SFGate

Boom Year for Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica)
Above average winter precipitation may have contributed to high winter survival rates among wood frogs, which emerged during warm spring temperatures.
Glennallen, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Joshua Ream, Brandie Radigan

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

Rare blue dragons are washing up on a Texas seashore
Visitors to the Padre Island National Seashore in Texas are discovering blue dragons during their trips, and though it may not be the flying, fire-breathing creatures their name may suggest, it's still 'a rare find,' the park says.
Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, USA
CTVNews

Unusual Mother's Day weather: Polar vortex brings record cold temps, snow to the eastern US
Mother's Day will bring Arctic blasts, wintry conditions and records low temperatures for two-thirds of the US.
Vermont, United States
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

First recorded striped dolphin sighting on Haida Gwaii
Animal discovered stranded on Tlell beach, marking first recorded sighting north of Vancouver Island
Crow's Nest, Haisa Gwaii, Canada
Haida Gwaii Observer

Mary River Mine's iron ore dust concerns local hunters in Nunavut | CBC News
Hunters in Pond Inlet, Nunavut, say that iron ore dust from the Mary River Mine is discolouring the land around Milne Inlet, deterring animals and making it hard to get clean water when people are camping.
Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada
CBC

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

Surprise flooding hits several Kelowna neighbourhoods
Debris torrents and blockages, possibly triggered by a rainstorm high in the watershed, caused Mill Creek to overflow, flooding homes and streets.
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
CBC

Flooding In Bethel's Hangar Lake and Alligator Acres Neighborhoods, And In Kwethluk
Most Kuskokwim River communities have escaped heavy flooding so far, but not Kwethluk. Social media photos show water rising high and completely covering
Kwethluk, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Landslide continues to expand due to increase of rainy weather
After storms rolled in over the weekend, a landslide in Hardin County continues to expand, overlooking the Tennessee River. Two homes collapsed after the initial landslide in February, but now a red-roofed home is in the path of destruction. “It was about 20 feet from the house, now it’s underneath the edge of the house,” said...
Tennessee, United States
WBBJ TV

Temperatures at tail end of heat wave set records in some Southern California spots
The heat spiked up to 108 degrees in Palm Springs, the National Weather Service said.
Palm Springs, California, United States
Orange County Register

Northwestern Crow (Corvus caurinus) with Ticks
Ticks spotted on a Northwestern crow may have picked up ticks while scavenging for food.
Port Graham, Alaska, United States

"Napaimute Wave" Of High Water Heading Down Kuskokwim River
Break up continues on the Kuskokwim River. Napaskiak resident and river observer Earl Samuelson has been tracking the ice and water levels on the Kuskokwim
Bethel, Alaska, United States
KYUK

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

Karachi braces for heat wave amid virus lockdown
Mercury expected to touch 42 degrees Celsius in coming days, warns met department
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Geo News

Mysterious Illness Killing Australia's Gorgeous Rainbow Lorikeets
According to existing research, some kind of a toxin is responsible for triggering the death of rainbow lorikeets in Australia.
Australia
WorldAtlas

Biologists monitoring sickness in bighorn sheep
A bacterial illness has spread through Baker County’s biggest herd of bighorn sheep, but a state wildlife biologist said it won’t be clear until later this year how severe the
Baker, Oregon, United States
Baker City Herald

Don't feed the baby foxes now running around Toronto, officials plead
The City of Toronto is asking residents to stop feeding a family of foxes that have made a boardwalk in The Beaches their home.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
CTV

Gray whale washes up on Emma Wood State Beach, likely will be towed out to sea
Here's what we know about a dead whale that washed up on Emma Wood State Beach.
Ventura, California, United States
Ventura County Star

Kolmakolfsky ice Jam Break - Kuskokwim River at Chuathbaluk
Dynamic breakup conditions are causing ice jams and flooding in Kuskokwim river communities, and significantly damaging infrastructure.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States

50 families displaced by floods, landslides in Lari
Affected areas include Kimende, Escarpment and Kinale
Kiambu, Kenya
The Star

Harbor seal pupping season has begun
Two abandoned harbor seal pups were found on beaches near Haines last week. Tracy Mikowski, at Haines Animal Rescue Kennel, said two abandoned seal pups in a single week is unprecedented
Haines, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Kenya flooding, landslides leaves more than 100 dead, over 1,800 homeless
At least 100 dead and nearly two thousand are homeless after rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms have led to severe flooding and landslides across Kenya in recent days.
Kenya
Fox News

Stranded Napaimute couple rescued from flooded Kuskokwim River waters
The pair were hoisted from 140 feet above, according to Guard officials. Flooding continues to be a concern in the area.
Napaimute, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Napaimute Floods During Spring Break-up
Warm May temperatures are rapidly melting the above-average snowpack in the Kuskokwim Basin. Snowmelt is running in to still-stable river ice, causing ice jams and flooding near Napaimute.
Napaimute, Alaska, United States
Crane Johnson, Edward "Ted" Smith, Erica Lujan

Decrease in Mosquitoes
Mosquito populations have decreased in some areas, perhaps due to changes in the surrounding vegetation or weather.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Utqiagvik just recorded its first record low temperature in 13 years
The United States’ northernmost city plummeted to a bone-chilling minus 20 degrees Wednesday morning, beating out the previous daily record set in 1973.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Invasive Common Wall Lizard Continues to Spread, Saanich
I have lived along Epsom Drive, between Cedar Hill Golf course and Cedar Hill Road for 22 years. I have seen a common wall lizard once, in late spring of 2020 at our address.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Cody Thomas, Dionne Sanderson, Eva Gribbon, David Oswald

NWS Warns Kusko Communities To Prepare For Flooding
An ice jam is holding downstream of Napaimute, flooding the seasonal village. At Aniak, the ice is shifting, according to Aniak resident Dave Cannon.
Akiak, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Oil spill alert received
The Icelandic coastguard coordination centre yesterday received a red oil pollution warning from the European Maritime Safety Agency. The warning was accompanied by a satellite image showing an oil slick some 50 nautical miles southwest of the Reykjanes peninsula.
RÚV

Temperatures in Dallas-Fort Worth expected to rise into 90s as ‘mini-heat wave’ moves in
A taste of summer is in the forecast for North Texas. After a mild week, temperatures are expected to rise into the 90s this weekend through next week,...
Dallas, Texas, United States
Dallas News

Heat wave spikes, sets or ties records in 3 Southern California communities
Sizzling heat was felt in the areas of Palmdale, Palm Springs and Idyllwild. Temperatures should begin to fall gradually beginning Wednesday, but, scorching heat may still be in the forecast, meteo…
Idyllwild, California, United States
Daily News

Flood warnings downgraded in B.C. as conditions ease but 'extraordinarily high' snowpacks remain | CBC News
The news brings some relief for communities from Quesnel to Williams Lake and south to Cache Creek, but local governments are maintaining numerous evacuation orders and alerts issued since waters began to rise.
Chilcotin Road Area, British Columbia, Canada
CBC

Menyamya Road cut off by landslide caused by heavy rain
Menyamya District Development Authority chief executive officer Nicholas Abraham, who visited the area, had arranged for earthmoving machinery to clear the road.
Morobe, Papua New Guinea
The National

Landslide, floods in parts of Sarawak add to residents’ woes
MIRI: Storms are bringing floods and causing landslides in parts of northern and central Sarawak.
Sarawak, Malaysia
The Star Online

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

Heat wave draws 'summer day crowd' to California beaches
A spring heat wave drove an uptick of people to California beaches, golf courses and trails on Saturday, leading to the closure of one coastal park as authorities warned people not to swarm recreational areas for fear of igniting a deadly coronavirus surge.
Los Angeles, California, United States
Times Union

There' been a butterfly surge on the Gold Coast, now it's the moths turn
Heavy rainfall seen across the Gold Coast and other parts of Queensland in February, contributed to the high numbers of moths seen now.
Queensland, Australia
ABC News Australia

Juvenile grey whale caught on camera in Nanoose Bay
A Parksville photographer has captured some stunning images of a grey whale that has been hanging out in the community of Nanoose Bay over the past several days.
Nanoose Bay, British Columbia, Canada
CTV News

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

Icelandic Capelin May Have Migrated to the Faroes
A large stock of capelins have been found in Faroese fjords of late and scientists believe that the fish probably swam there from Icelandic waters, RÚV reports. Iceland’s capelin stock has been in decline over the last two years, likely due to rising ocean temperatures.
Faroe Islands
Iceland Review

Warming climate and Arctic gas threaten Russia's reindeer herders
Indigenous Nenets reindeer herders say oil and gas operations in the Yamal region - exploration activity that includes hundreds of wells and dozens of trains and tankers - are polluting the environment and harming their animals' health.
Ямало-Ненецкий АО, Russia
U.S.

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

Taylor Highway closed at mile 54 because of washout
The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities says the Taylor Highway is now closed at mile 54 because of a washout.
Chicken, Alaska, United States
KTUU

Watch: While Humans Stay Indoors, Urban Wildlife Comes Out To Play
Wild turkey sightings in Calgary and foxes in cities are becoming more common.
Canada
HuffPost Canada

After a rabid coyote attacked a dog, Quinhagak lifted travel ban for a vet
A decline in caribou abundance is causing coyotes and wolves to come closer to the community of Quinhagak. When a rabid coyote attacked a local dog, it forced the village to bring in a veterinarian from outside the village - and temporarily lift the Southwest community's travel ban.
Quinhagak, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

What Happened to Our Cold Spring Nights?
We went from relatively cold days and nights in late March, to warm days and warm nights in April. This means no overnight freezing of snow, and no crust conditions for skiers...yet.
Crane Johnson, Mike Brubaker, Richard L Thoman Jr

A bitter freeze and coronavirus have sprouted big problems for Palisade’s peach season
Palisade-area fruit growers were out in their orchards the frigid night of April 13 and into the next morning, frantically cranking up wind machines, turning on irrigation water, and lighting burn barrels in last-ditch efforts to save crops from a bud-killing Canadian cold front.
Palisade, Colorado, United States
The Colorado Sun

Huge Amounts of Snow Bring Danger of Spring Flooding
There is a danger of spring flood over almost the entire country. On Sognefjellet it has not been as much snow in 20 years.
Sognefjellshytta, Lom, Norway
NRK
Kari Nygard Tvilde, Ole Martin Sponberg, Even Lusæter, Mette Vollan, Kjell Åge Kampestuen

Dead gray whale washes up on Oregon coast, buried
State park rangers and a contractor have buried a gray whale carcass that washed up on the beach at Sand Lake Recreation Area south of Tillamook.
Tillamook, Oregon, United States
AP NEWS

Three Dead Sperm Whales Have Scientists Concerned
It is quite unusual that three specimens of the same species have been stranded in such a short time. It may be a coincidence or something more behind. A concerned researcher hopes samples will answer what the whales died of.
Bleik, Nordland, Norway
NRK

Arctic Tern Arrives Early in Iceland
The first two arctic terns of the season were spotted in Southeast Iceland on Saturday morning, according to the Southeast Iceland Bird Observatory. Their arrival is two or three days earlier than usual. Bird enthusiasts across the country are following along with migratory species as they return to their breeding grounds in Iceland.
Iceland
Iceland Review

Velella velella Strandings in Tofino
On a recent family vacation, stranded Velella velella were observed on beaches near Tofino, British Columbia.
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada

Wild animals appear in Israeli urban areas as COVID-19 pandemic isolates people at homes
Nubian ibexes which were seen "going into Eilat city and grazing in the gardens along the seafront," and striped hyenas seen "walking around the parks and in the neighborhoods in the early hours of the evening" in the southern metropolitan of Beersheba.
Beersheba, Southern District, Israel
Xinhua

The Return of Wildlife to Urban Areas
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Heavy rains cause flash floods in western Kenya
Police officers reportedly trapped in floods as West Pokot county is hit again by a potentially deadly landslide.
West Pokot, Kenya
Al Jazeera

Snow crisis in Finnmark – Per John filmed herd of 36 moose
Extreme amounts of snow in Finnmark presents major challenges for grazing animals. Per John Anti met a herd of 36 moose that had gathered.
Karasjok, Finnmark Fylke, Norway
Nationen

Kamloops expecting mini-heat wave late this week
"Environment Canada is currently predicting highs of 21–22 C Friday to Sunday this week (Thursday is just short at 19 C). That's well above the normal for this time of year, says Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Erven, which usually sits at 17 C, but won't be record setting."
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Oily water continues to ooze into Port Valdez as snow on the ground complicates response
The source of the spill, a drain area about a quarter-mile uphill from the coastline, was stopped on Monday, authorities reported. And oil on the water has been contained to a site near a small boat harbor at the terminal where tankers load up with oil.
Valdez, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Jammu-Srinagar-Leh highway closed, opening of Mughal road delayed
Rain across J&K, fresh snowfall at higher reaches Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Apr 17: Rain across J&K UT and the snowfall on the higher reaches has thrown
Jammu, Kashmir, India
Jammu Kashmir Latest News

Africa's Huge Locust Swarms Are Growing at the Worst Time
As coronavirus takes hold and farmers plant crops, the continent faces a new wave of locusts 20 times larger than one earlier this year.
Africa
Wired

Met Office says heat-wave will return in 28C temperature swing over 48 hours
"Temperatures in Britain will soar to nearly 21C later this week despite parts of the country having seen lows of -7C since the Easter bank holiday heat wave."
United Kingdom
mirror

Heat wave on the rise in Telangana, temperature soar to 42 degrees
"Heatwave is on the rise in Telangana with temperatures soaring between 41 and 42-degree celsius in North and North-East regions of the state, said the weather officials."
Telangana, India
The Hans India

Hay River preparing for possible flood during COVID-19 pandemic | CBC News
As breakup season creeps closer, the town of Hay River, N.W.T, is preparing for a possible flood during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada

Pollen in Abundance: A Stress Crop?
Pollen may be hanging in the air longer than usual due to lack of rain
Langford, British Columbia, Canada

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

India to see scorching heat wave as COVID-19 lockdown continues
“The average high temperature for the month of April for places like New Delhi, India, is 36 C,” says Weather Network meteorologist Ida Hung. Sizzling temperatures are coinciding with India’s nationwide lockdown due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
New Delhi, Delhi, India

Gooseneck Barnacles
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada

Wildlife Return to Field Training Area
As human activity is reduced due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions, wildlife sightings become more frequent.
CFB Shilo Training Area

Fresh bear tracks in popular hiking area
"It is unusual for bears with youngsters to wake up so early and it is difficult to say why these have come out. The bears may have been disturbed by humans or other animals."
Dákteroavvi, Finnmark Fylke, Norway
NRK

Toxic algae also threatens Ohio’s inland lakes, waterways
"Lake Erie receives a lot of attention for its problems with HABS, but Ohio’s inland lakes and waterways share the increasingly dangerous problem and its impacts on health as a source of drinking water and recreation, and the potential loss of millions of dollars in tourism and lakeside property values."
Ohio, United States
cleveland

Alyeska Pipeline cleaning up oil spill at Valdez Marine Terminal
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company says that as of Tuesday morning, roughly 326 barrels — 13,692 gallons — of oily water have been recovered at the Valdez Marine Terminal.
Valdez, Alaska, United States

Increase in Snowshoe Hares (Lepus americanus)
Snowshoe hare populations are at a high point in Alaska and are making an uncommon appearance in Anchorage.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Evidence of Forest Erosion by Sea Level Rise
The northwest and west shoreline of Cormorant Island, British Columbia appears to have eroded due to sea level rise during the last few decades.
West Side Trail, Cormorant Island, British Columbia

Multiple Cougars Seen Wandering the Streets of Santiago Amid Coronavirus Lockdown
A third cougar has been sighted wandering through a residential neighborhood of Santiago, Chile.
Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile
EcoWatch

Snow Measurements in Tromsø Match Those from the Year 2000
So far this year, there has been 653 centimetres of snow in Tromsø. There has not been this much snow in the city since 2000.
Tromsø, Troms, Norway

Coyote (Canis latrans) Observed in Edmonton Urban Setting
A coyote was observed in urban Edmonton, when they are usually found in grasslands, agricultural lands, or forested areas.
Beaumont, Alberta, Canada

Flood potential for spring breakup expected to be above normal for much of Alaska
The River Forecast Center released their spring breakup forecast for 2020. Flood potential is expected to be above average for areas south of the Brooks Range. Areas of north of the Brooks Range should see a normal flood potential.
Alaska, United States
KTUU

Patches of Disrupted Trees
I noticed sections of trees that had fallen over and or had their tops broken off. I'm wondering if it was a micro storm or a disease that affected the trees.
Barnard, Vermont, United States

Rats come out of hiding as lockdowns eliminate urban trash
With less litter on the ground and garbage in Dumpsters behind restaurants, rats are seeking food elsewhere.
New York City, New York, United States
National Geographic

The fourth snowiest March in history
In March, several stations in Troms and Finnmark received about three times the normal precipitation. Nationwide, March was the fourth most precipitation-rich since measurements began in 1900.
Troms and Finnmark

High Water Levels in Lake Erie
High water levels for Lake Erie have damaged infrastructure and closed businesses. Climate change, and land use change, is expected to continue some of these disruptions.
Leamington, Ontario

White Spots in Smelts Appear to Be a Type of Tapeworm or Nematode
The white spots found in the smelt appear to be tapeworm or nematode larvae. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend cooking fish at about 153 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes or freezing the fish at -4 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 days to kill the larvae before you eat the fish.
Chevak, Alaska, United States

Urban Deer Playing
Adult deer are often seen walking down residential roads in Victoria, but are rarely seen playing.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Record in Riksgränsen – over five meters of snow: "Crazy lot"
This year's snow record has been broken in Riksgränsen. More than five metres of snow was recorded at the ski resort on Monday morning – and more precipitation is expected.
Björkliden Fjällby, Norrbotten, Sweden
Aftonbladet

Over 70 Common Eiders Found Dead
Dozens of dead eiders have been found along the coast in Eastern Norway. The preliminary autopsy report shows no signs of bird flu, but the birds are thin and emaciated.
Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

Massive landslide damages houses, shuts highway at Ramban
A massive landslide damaged 28 houses in a village along Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, rendering hundreds of people homeless, officials said on Sunday.
Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Hindustan Times

The coffins should be safely in the permafrost – now more emergency need to be excavated
Permafrosten på Svalbard kunne gitt dem evig liv. Men nå er historien til hundrevis av hvalfangere i ferd med å tine bort.
Likneset, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Whales are dying, but numbers are unknown. Coronavirus has stalled scientific fieldwork
Stay-at-home requirements have upended the fieldwork of ecological researchers, including that of scientists and volunteers who track migrating gray whales.
Los Angeles, California, United States
Los Angeles Times

Daytime raccoon (Procyon lotor) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) activity
Unusual raccoon and red fox activity in Toronto.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Single Amphibian Individual in Still Creek
During late February and all of March, almost no trains were observed to pass through the area. The level of noise had been reduced significantly. After a review of frog and toad calls, the closest match was the Pacific Treefrog.
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Rabbit Deaths in Reykjavík Caused by Infectious Disease
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease, a highly infectious and often fatal disease that affects both domestic and wild rabbits has caused widespread death among rabbits in Elliðárdalur valley in Reykjavík. It is the first time the disease is detected in Iceland outside of a rabbit farm or home.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
Iceland Review

Ten bodies recovered from PNG landslide which buried 12
Ten bodies have been recovered from a landslide which buried 12 people in Papua New Guinea's Western Highlands.
Tambul, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea
RNZ

Wild Animals Reclaim San Francisco and LA After Cities Empty Over COVID-19
As California streets empty under the stay-at-home measures to “flatten the curve” of the novel coronavirus outbreak, wild animals have come to reclaim their domain.
San Francisco, California, United States
The Daily Beast

Starvation death looms as huge amount of snow piles up over icy crust
Grazing conditions are very poor this winter in Norway as an unusual amount of snow forces the reindeer to dig really deep to find food.
Sápmi
The Independent Barents Observer

Earthquake Swarm Near Þorbjörn
Numerous earthquakes were recorded just west of the volcano Þorbjörn, near the village of Grindavík in South Iceland on Thursday, RÚV reports. An earthquake measuring 3.3 was recorded just before 5pm on Thursday and was followed by another measuring 3.2. Both quakes originated not far from the volcano Þorbjörn, which experienced another earthquake measuring 5.2 …
Reykjanesbær, Southern Peninsula, Iceland

'Nature is taking back Venice': wildlife returns to tourist-free city
Look down into the waters of the Venice canals today and there is a surprising sight – not just a clear view of the sandy bed, but shoals of tiny fish, scuttling crabs and multi-coloured plant-life.
Venice, Veneto, Italy
The Guardian

The changing behaviour of humpback whales
There are currently fewer minke whales and more humpbacks in Icelandic waters than usual for the time of year, and some appear to be skipping the southward migration altogether.
Húsavík, Northeast, Iceland
RÚV

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) in Wasilla
Unusual winter sighting of a northern shrike (*Lanius borealis*) could become more common as temperatures rise.
Knik-Fairview, Alaska, United States

Budding Willow Branches (genus Salix)
Willows are budding early, following temperature swings of 40 to approximately -32 degrees Fahrenheit between February and March.
Chistochina, Alaska, United States

Starving monkey 'gangs' battle in Thailand as coronavirus keeps tourists away
Video from Lopburi, Thailand shows two gangs of monkeys brawling in the street over a scrap of food. Coronavirus may be to blame.
Lopburi, Thailand
livescience.com

Brand new whale behaviour caught on video
Whale watchers in Eyjafjörður, North Iceland, witnessed something new and exciting during a tour last weekend. A marine biologist describes the hunting behaviour as unique and something never before seen around Iceland.
Hjalteyri, Northeast, Iceland
RÚV

Here there has not been such snow in 20 years
It's been decades since there has been so much snow on the icebergs in southern Norway.
Jostedalsbreen, Norway

Mystery oil coating Westman Islands seabirds
Several dozen oil-covered seabirds have been discovered on the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago in recent days and weeks. The environment agency website states that most of the birds were found around the harbour on Heimaey and on Klauf beach. Oiled birds were first noticed as long ago as the start of this year.
Vestmannaeyjar, South, Iceland

Ten seals are dead in the Oslo fjord
Seals have suffered serious infections of the heart and lungs. Veterinarians do not yet know the cause.
Helgeroa, Larvik

South Klondike Highway hit with way above average snowfall, closures due to avalanche risk
This year’s large snowfall in southern Yukon has caused issues for highway staff and for people contracted by Highways and Public Works to deal with avalanches.
Carcross, Yukon, Canada

Dead reindeer used to warn against reindeer danger
Some try to be creative to avoid reindeer driveways. But this is not something the Norwegian Public Roads Administration wants.

Warm, wet February linked to rise in ocean temperatures
At Unalaska's Tom Madsen Airport, temperatures haven't dropped below freezing yet this month. And in Cold Bay, the average temperature is running more than 8 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, making this the second warmest start to February since World War II.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Bristol Bay Times
Alaska Media, LLC., Steve Keller designer and application developer

Halland braces for more rain as rivers overflow
Halland county in southwestern Sweden is battling heavy flooding along the banks of the Nissan and Lagan rivers, with more rain in the forecast.
Halmstad, Halland, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Sandstorm grounds Finnish tourists in Canary Islands
A sandstorm sweeping in from the Sahara stranded hundreds of tourists enjoying a winter break in the Canary Islands.
Canary Islands, Spain
Yle Uutiset

Orca Completes 8,000 km Swim from Iceland to Lebanon
A male orca whale belonging to an Icelandic pod was sighted around Beirut, Lebanon, on February 19 and 20. Per a press release issued by Orca Guardians of Iceland, this is a journey of just over 8,000 kilometres (4,970 miles) and is the longest known one-way distance travelled by any ‘killer whale’ to date. The …
Beirut, Lebanon

Spring has sprung in Stockholm, weather service says
It's only late February but already spring has sprung in Stockholm, according to the definition by Sweden's national weather service.
Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Thawing causing houses to slide sideways
Staircases are separating from building and utility poles leaning.
Noatak, Alaska, United States
Jeffrey Luther, John Warren, Chris Dankmeyer, Oxcenia O'Domin, Max Neale, Christopher Dillon, PE, John Monville, Abby Nelson

Sink Hole in Road Impacting Home Foundation
The ground under the new road is developing a sink hole and affecting the foundation of the adjacent house.
Noatak, Alaska, United States
Jeffrey Luther, Nellie Wesley, Paul Walton, Mike Brubaker, John Warren, Chris Dankmeyer, John Monville, David Beveridge

Heavy snow and thick ice could mean trouble for Aklavik's spring melt, says local
Spring is still months away in the Northwest Territories, but people are already looking ahead at the spring breakup season. In Aklavik, some see signs that could point to heavy flooding, a lot of snowfall, very high snow piles all over town and thick ice.
Aklavik, Northwest Territories, Canada

It Takes A Lot Of Help To Plow The Longest Ice Road Ever
The ice road on the frozen Kuskokwim River has been plowed to its longest length ever: 355 miles. That’s longer than most traditional highways in the state.
Sleetmute, Alaska, United States

Colder weather brings Bering Sea ice extent and thickness to near normal, benefiting hunters
Even if a storm does hit Western Alaska, thicker sea ice will always be more resistant than last year’s ice was at this time, a climatologist says.
Nome, Alaska, United States

B.C. First Nations village evacuated after blue-green algae found in water source
About 60 people from the Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nation have been evacuated to Alert Bay after blue-green algae was found in their well water.
Kingcome Village, British Columbia, Canada

Mild winter wakes Korkeasaari bears from hibernation
The brown bears hibernated for only two months due to the warm winter conditions, according to zoo officials.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Storm Dennis: Fire service received over 1,000 calls
Whole swathes of land throughout South Wales were – and still remain – underwater. And firefighters worked around the clock to ensure those in need were rescued.
Crickhowell, Powys, Wales, United Kingdom
South Wales Argus

Turku's cherry blossoms bloom out of season in mid-winter
The cherry blossoms along the Aura riverbank are a huge draw for tourists and photo enthusiasts every year around mid-May. The city's head gardener said he was amazed by the sight of the flowers budding this time of year.
Turku, Southwest Finland, Finland
Yle Uutiset

The day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia
The locals call it Black Sky, a combination of weather conditions and the exhaust from dozens of factories in this industrial city on the Yenisei river.
Krasnoyarsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
Siberia Times

Flood warnings in southern and western Sweden
High water levels and flooding are being reported from several parts of southern Sweden Monday, and the met office SMHI has issued class 2 flood warnings ...
Borås, Västra Götaland, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Vasaloppet ski race organisers scramble to put extra snow on the course
Sweden's most famous ski race gets underway next week.This weekend's wind and rain has led to puddles on the 90 kilometre-long course, and volunteers are working feverishly before thousands of skiers descend on the course.
Sälen, Dalarna, Sweden

Dead Sea Cucumbers (Cucumaria miniata) on Beach
Strong winds might have blown sea cucumbers (*Cucumaria miniata*) up on to the beach, exposing them to the cold at low tide.
Anchor Point, Alaska, United States
Mandy Lindeberg, Richard L Thoman Jr, Erica Lujan

Spring migration early this year
Flocks of whooper swans have been grazing in a field in southwestern Finland, although these swans don't typically return to Finland until March or April, according to Finland’s environment administration.
Finland

Extreme Weather Causes Travel Disruptions, Power Outages, and Property Damage
The predicted severe winds hit the country this morning, causing travel disruptions, property damage and disruptions to capital area services. Parts of the south coast are still without power and some without hot water.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland

Mysterious mechanical 'groaning’ noise haunts southwest Anchorage
Snowplows? The railroad? “Trumpets in the sky? The noise has been heard on and off for years, but no one appears to have a solid explanation.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Otters spotted in southern Alberta city for first time in about a century
Some welcome new visitors have recently appeared in a southeastern Alberta park — otters.
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada

Kuskokwim River Too Rough For Travelers In Upper Kuskokwim Area
The river is so rough in the Upper Kuskokwim area that it is impassable to vehicle and snow machine traffic. Big boulders of snow-covered ice are scattered across the river caused by high water and a late freeze up.
Napaimute, Alaska, United States

Snowmachiner dies in avalanche near Cooper Lake
A snowmachiner was killed Monday afternoon in an avalanche on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska State Troopers reported late Monday night.
Cooper Landing, Alaska, United States
KTUU

Siberia's Mild Winter Wakes Badger Cubs From Hibernation
Badgers usually remain fast asleep until the end of February but, Siberia's mild winter caused a shorter hibernation period. On Monday, the temperature rose to 2 degrees Celsius. It was minus 24 C on the same day last year.
Irkutsk, Irkutsk, Russia
The Moscow Times

Low air pressure paralyzes air traffic in North Norway - this is historic and extreme
Widerøe has had several flight cancellations this morning. This is because the air pressure in parts of Northern Norway are too low for planes to take off. In modern times, Widerøe has never had to ground planes due to low pressure.
Bodø, Nordland, Norway
Lise Forfang Hagen, Gisle Forland, Kirsti Kringstad, Emil H. Indsetviken

Difficult grazing conditions for reindeer
In Karasjok and Kautokeino, there has been greater snowfall than usual on winter pastures. The difficulty in digging down to pasture is effecting reindeer in large parts of Troms and Finnmark.
Ivgobahta, Troms, Norway
Troms og Finnmark

Extreme weather 'Elsa' hit the coast of Norway
The extreme weather "Elsa" left its mark along the Norwegian coast on Monday night until Tuesday. In many places the water has gone far above the ordinary flood level and many cellars have been filled with water.
Måløy, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
Geir Bjarte Hjetland, Ingrid Aarekol, Benedikte Grov, Roy Raasholm Fauske, Olaug Bjørneset, Julianne Bråten Mossing

Death toll rises to at least 41 after twin avalanches in Turkey
At least 41 people have been killed and 84 injured after two avalanches hit the mountainside near Turkey's eastern border with Iran in 24 hours, the Turkish Natural Disaster and Crisis Directorate (AFAD) said Thursday.
Van, Van, Turkey
CNN

After avalanche scare, Anchorage’s Kincaid Park sand dunes off-limits to Junior Nordic skiers
No one was hurt when a slab avalanche buried one child and partially buried two others.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Salmon Farm Rips Open in Dýrafjörður
A tear was discovered in one of Arctic Fish’s open-sea fish farms in Dýrafjörður in the Westfjords. A notice on the company’s website says the tear was discovered during routine inspection and is located at a depth of about 20 metres (65 feet).
Bolungarvík, Westfjords, Iceland

Receding sea ice off northern Japan proves blessing and potential curse for seals
Climate change has allowed spotted seals to find new hunting grounds, but the marine mammals ultimately depend on sea ice to survive.
Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan

Worried for the raspberries, they have started to sprout
The raspberries believes spring has begun now. They have started to bloom and have no idea that the cold temperatures may come in an instant.
Drøbak, Akershus, Norway
Silje-Lisette Tennøy, Miriam Alsvik, Iselin Øverbø

Snake encounter in January
The earliest I have ever seen the cormorant snake has been around the first week of April. I could never imagine meeting snakes in January.
Svartevatnet, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
Ina Christin Løvseth, Ola Weel Skram, RoyRaasholm Fauske

Much Snow
It is so much snow, more than usual this time of the year.

Two North Shore ski mountains, Buntzen Lake closed because of rain
A couple of North Shore ski hills and Buntzen Lake in Anmore were closed Friday because of heavy rainfall, as Metro Vancouver prepared for another deluge Friday night.
Anmore, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Central Tapanuli declares state of emergency after seven die in flood, landslides
English News and Press Release on Indonesia about Flash Flood, Flood and more; published on 30 Jan 2020 by Jakarta Post
Tapanuli Tengah, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
Jakarta Post

Overflow Flood Waters Threaten House and Road System
A hole cut in the ice has produced a lot of overflow, and flooding is now threatening homes and a state-managed road.
Newhalen, Alaska
Lexi Trainer, Sonny Lamont, Melany Eakin, Edward "Ted" Smith, Erica Lujan, Savannah Anelon

A total of 23 precipitation records have been broken - on Vega it has rained almost every single day
The island of Vega in Helgeland, which has a measurement station from 1999, has not had as much rain in 15 years. They had 27 rainy days in January.
Vega, Nordland, Norway

600 fishermen taken off floating ice in the Sea of Okhotsk
Major rescue operation on the island of Sakhalin went on for two days. Some of the fishermen made their way back to safety on ice floes, using ice diggers as oars.
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin, Russia
Siberia Times

Officials shot three bears, days apart, all eating trash on the same street in Kodiak
Temperatures might be down in Kodiak, but that doesn’t mean bear problems are down too. Fish & Game has tracked down and shot three problem bears in town over the last week, and they’re reminding residents — not all bears hibernate in the winter.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

After Heavy Rain, Landslides Shut Down Roads on Portland’s Edges
It’s been a relentlessly rainy January, with no sign of slowing down. And all the precipitation has put Portland-area roads at risk of being buried by landslides.
Portland, Oregon, United States
Willamette Week

'Brilliant blues' of mountain lakes change as glaciers shrink
Shimmering mountain lakes will start to show new colours in coming years, new research suggests.
Zigadenus Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Spring flowers in southwest Finland archipelago
According to Simo Laine, head horticulturalist at botanical garden in Turku, southwest Finland, it could well be the first time that the blooms have made an appearance in the country as early as January.
Turku, Southwest Finland, Finland

SR4 closure may extend for weeks or months
SKAMOKAWA — The highway between Naselle and Longview will remain closed “for an indeterminate amount of time” following a large landslide Jan. 23, state highway officials said Jan. 28.
Skamokawa, Washington, United States
Chinook Observer

At the same time - in Finnmark and in Western Norway: 50 degree difference
There is almost 50 degrees in temperature difference between Kautokeino in Finnmark and Tafjord in Møre og Romsdal. And in Stryn they released the cows this weekend!
Norway

Winter weather, ferry cancellations and road closures disrupt travel in and out of Upper Lynn Canal communities
As of Sunday nearly 60 inches of snow fell in Haines in the last 8 days. That total was higher in some parts of town and more snow is in the forecast.
Haines, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

100 places in Norway are set to set temperature records
The birds are singing, the flowers are germinating and the snow is not visible. January is record-breaking in several places in the country and Oslo sets a new snow-free record.
Oslo, Norway
Tiril Mettesdatter Solvang, Kirsti Haga Honningsøy

Kenya suffers worst locust infestation in 70 years as millions of insects swarm farmland
UN urges immediate action as east African nations already experiencing devastating hunger see large areas of crops destroyed.
Kenya
the Guardian

Sperm whale carcass will decompose on Lanai beach
Federal and state officials are monitoring a sperm whale carcass in the nearshore waters of Lanai.
Lāna‘i City, Hawaii, United States
Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Several rainfall records have already been broken - now a warning has been sent out on Helgeland
Several rainfall records in Nordland have already been struck. Now a warning has been sent out for even more of the same. - We are in the top tier of what we have measured by rainfall over the last 100 years, says meteorologist Bente Wahl.
Bodø, Nordland, Norway

Icing in the high mountains produces desperate reindeer
Icy conditions in the mountains have caused wild reindeer to descend towards the hut areas to find food. In several places ski areas are now closed to prevent the reindeer from being disturbed.
Hovden, Aust-Agder, Norway

Chronic wasting disease found in Marquette County deer
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that a wild deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Marquette County.
Endeavor, Wisconsin, United States

Worried about the bees this year
During the first weeks of the year, the beekeeper from Tønsberg has registered that several bees have flowed out of the cube. It really shouldn't happen until March.
[Read in
Revetal, Vestfold, Norway
Linn Udnes, Hege Therese Holtung, Magnus Skatvedt Iversen

The tick season is underway - The earliest I've heard of
From April to November, most dog owners are used to checking their dogs for small crawling ticks that have become stuck in the fur of their pets.
Moss, Østfold, Norway

Weathering 'Storm of the Century'
Conception Bay South was dealt a hard hand by what some have dubbed the ‘storm of the century.’ At least two local churches, Topsail United and All Saints in Foxtrap saw siding ripped off their steeples by the 120 kph winds.The most extensive damage was along the coastline, with both CBS mayor Terry French and Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club Commodore Larry LeDrew estimating millions of dollars worth of damage.
Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The Shoreline News

About a fourth of Selawik homes currently have frozen pipe and it’s a chronic problem
Mayor Clyde Ramoth says frozen pipes are a chronic problem due to issues with the initial installation of the above-ground water system. The warming climate isn’t making things any easier.
Selawik, Alaska, United States
KOTZ Radio 720 AM

Brazilian city experiences deadly flooding after 32 inches of rain falls in just 27 days
Dozens have perished in Brazil's sixth-largest city after a record-breaking deluge.
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Washington Post

Numerous Dead Mottled Sea Stars (Evasterias troschelii)
Roughly 60 dead starfish were scattered on a stretch of beach about 1/4-mile long, showing potential signs of sea star wasting disease.
Fort Wrangel, Alaska, United States

Cold snap is expected to ease up around Anchorage — but only for a couple days.
January has so far been colder than average and the trend is expected to continue, breaking the 22-month trend of consecutively warmer-than-normal monthly temperatures.

Young Nuttall Cockles (Clinocardium nuttallii) Exposed on Beach
Luck was against these young cockles, which were likely washed up on to the beach during a storm and did not survive the cold air temperatures during low tide.
Petersburg, Alaska, United States

Hundreds of thousands of fish dead in NSW as bushfire ash washed into river
Ecologist fears the Macleay River may take decades to recover, with heavy rains likely to affect other waterways
Macleay River, New South Wales, Australia
the Guardian

Scientists: Winter is shrinking at both ends
It's January 15th and the first signs of spring are here. The biologist found a snail in the garden, and in the flower box of the meteorologist sprout and grow it. Both are concerned.
Røa, Oslo, Norway
NRK, Norsk Rikskringkasting
Ida Theresa Myklebost, Dagny Elisabeth Ulland

-48.5 C in Chilcotin breaks 15-year-old record for coldest Jan. 14
Coldest day of the winter season so far sees highs of -5 C in Metro Vancouver and a frigid morning temperature of -48.5 C in the Chilcotin region.
Chilcotin Road Area, British Columbia, Canada

New York City Reaches 70 Degrees Farenheit in January
US Senator Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reports her observation of air temperatures reaching 70 degrees Farenheit (21 degrees Celsius) in January of 2020.
New York City, New York, United States
Twitter

Rare Arctic seal pup named after a flower rescued from Storm Brendan
Ringed seal Cloudberry was rescued from Quilty by Seal Rescue Ireland after being seen in Kerry.
Burren, Mayo, Ireland
Metro

Stranded Fork-tailed Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma furcata)
Bella Bella 1, British Columbia, Canada
Twitter

The devastating cost of bushfires on Kangaroo Island's rare wildlife
Tens of thousands of livestock and hundreds of unique bee hives have been destroyed on South Australia's Kangaroo Island along with thousands of koalas and kangaroos.
Cape Jervis, South Australia, Australia
Mail Online

Floods hit Kuching and Sebuyau, landslide reported in Song district
Heavy rain and floods are reported in Kuching and Sebuyau districts while a landslide caused by torrential rain happened in the Song district on Saturday (Jan 11).
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
The Star Online

Landslide threat increasing as powerful storm expected by weekend
DES MOINES, Wash. - Drier weather on Wednesday helped to lessen the landslide threat across Western Washington, but another system will be moving in later in the week, increasing the threat by Friday.
Des Moines, Washington, United States
Q13 FOX News

Devastating floods, and also landslides and sinkholes
Heavy rainfalls over the past few months have done more than unleash devastating floods. A landslide caused by heavy rain left three caravan holiday homes teetering on the brink of a cliff at Trimingham, near Cromer on the Norfolk coast, on Monday (News, January 8).And over the past six months th
Cromer, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom
The Times

Unusually Warm in Northern Norway
Extremely warm early January weather in northern Norway.
Troms, Norway
Twitter

Mild winter puts squeeze on Saimaa ringed seal
Sipilä said that during his 40 years working for state-owned parks and wildlife management agency Metsähallitus, he has never seen such poor ice conditions in January.
Gulf of Finland

Pack of wolves spotted in Colorado
The agency said an eyewitness account, video and scavenged elk ''strongly suggests a pack of gray wolves may now be residing in Colorado.''
Moffat County, Colorado, USA
Coloradoan

Unusually warm in Northern Norway
You wouldn't think it was early January.
Birtavarre værstasjon
Meterologene, Meterologisk Institutt (The Norwegian Meteroligical Institute)

Potentially longest cold snap in more than a decade for Anchorage
For the last four nights, temperatures dropped below zero in Anchorage, which isn't uncommon this time of year, but turns out, hasn't been very common in recent history.

Shishaldin Volcano eruption raises alert level to red
Shishaldin Volcano is spewing ash up to 27,000 feet in sky, leading to flight cancelations.
Shishaldin Volcano

Cyanobacteria in a deep well contaminates community water source
In 2020, contamination of the community water well by cyanobacteria caused the community to evacuate for 26 days. How the well was contaminated is unknown.
Kingcome Inlet

Dramatic warm-up happening in the Arctic and Nunavut
Temperatures will soar in the North, paticularly in Nunavut, for the next few days thanks to a rapidly retreating polar vortex combined with an influx of warm Pacific air.
Kugaaruk, Nunavut, Canada

Winter Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Robins are migratory birds, but may stay in one place if the temperature is warm and/or there is food available.

Indonesia flooding, landslides kill more than 50
Torrential rains lashed the capital on the eve of the New Year.
Jakarta, Indonesia
Reuters

Heavy rain, snow increase threat of mudslides in Western Washington
All the rain and snow falling in Western Washington bumps up the risk for mudslides and avalanches.
Des Moines, Washington, United States
The Columbian

Seven miles of ice stopper loosened and damaged several houses
400 residents lost the road connection and several houses were evacuated when a seven-mile-long ice stopper came loose, carrying large masses of ice and water. Today, the municipality is on inspection to look at the damage.
Beiarn River, Norway

Aleutian island volcano again sends ash cloud nearly 5 miles high
Shishaldin Volcano also erupted last month, sending ash over the Bering Sea.
Mount Shishaldin, Alaska, United States

Ferries cancelled, flood watch issued as storm wallops B.C. South Coast
The storm pummeling much of B.C. incapacitated part of the ferry system and coated major highway passes and northern areas of the province in a heap of fresh snow.
Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Extreme Flooding
Jakarta, Indonesia

Raining in January
Warm temperatures bring novel rain event in Northern Sweden.
Near Nedre Soppero, Sweden

New heat record again - 19 degrees on Sunndalsøra
A new heat record for January. Sunndalsøra in Nordmøre measured 19 plus degrees in the morning.
Sunndalsøra, Møre og Romsdal, Norway

‘Not ordinary rain’: Worst rainfall in over decade causes massive floods in Jakarta
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency recorded rainfall intensity on New Years Eve at 377 millimeters per day, according to an observation conducted at the Air Force air base in East Jakarta.
Jakarta, Indonesia
The Jakarta Post

Kangaroos (genus Macropus) Flee Bushfires
Mitchell Lyons captured video of a mob of kangaroos travelling at high speed to escape wildfires during the extreme 2019 Australian wildfire event.
New South Wales, Australia

Australia bushfires trap thousands on east coast beaches
Residents fled toward the waterside as winds pushed an emergency-level wildfire towards their homes. The town was shrouded in darkness from the smoke before turning an unnerving shade of bright red.
Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia
The Globe and Mail

Anchorage breaks snow record for New Year’s Day following the warmest Dec. 31 on record
The snowfall came after Anchorage broke the daily record for warmest Dec. 31, with temperatures at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport measuring 46 degrees.

Mulchatna Caribou Hunt Closing On Federal Lands Amid Steep Population Decline
Midnight on Dec. 31 brings the close of 2019 and also the close of the hunting season for Mulchatna Caribou on federal lands. The federal season,
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Massive anchovy school in White Rock draws a crowd
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said photographer Marissa Baecker, who was visiting White Rock from Kelowna on Christmas Day. “It wasn’t just a feeding, it was a feast.”
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Anchovies take over White Rock shores
People in White Rock, B.C. are used to seeing fish in their waters but not quite like this.
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Facebook Watch

Holiday cold snap breaks records, may save Northwest Alaska snowmachine races
It’s a dramatic drop from this winter’s balmy start, but this is a normal weather pattern for this time of year.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Minus 65: Interior Alaska sees coldest official temperatures since 2012
An official temperature of minus 65 was recorded 15 miles northeast of Manley Hot Springs, according to the National Weather Service. It is the coldest official temperature in Alaska since
Manley Hot Springs, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Thousands of 'sea pickles' wash up on Monterey Bay beach
Hundreds upon hundreds of specimens known as "sea pickles" washed up on Monterey Bay beaches on Thursday. As explained by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, "Big waves and strong currents are pushing pyrosomes onto local beaches.
Asilomar State Beach, Pacific Grove, California, United States
SFGate

Huge sea temperature anomaly has water six degrees above normal
Ocean temperatures as much as 6 degrees higher than usual are developing off the east coast.
South Pacific Ocean
Stuff

Boisterous bay
A winter storm combined with a 20.7-foot high tide hammered the north shore of Kachemak Bay last Thursday.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Homer News

Mat-Su declares disaster after Willow Creek flooding forces evacuations, closes bridge
Flooding on Willow Creek Saturday night and Sunday has led to seven families being evacuated, with five people taking shelter at the Willow Community Center. The Willow Fire Department, Mat-Su Animal Care and the Mat-Su Water Rescue Team organized to assist those impacted by the flood.
Willow, Alaska, United States

Russia’s warm winter has deprived Moscow of snow, caused plants to bloom and roused bears out of hibernation
Residents are lamenting a December without the constant layer of snow that defines Russian winters, when what little light there is typically reflects off the white covering and brightens the days.
Moscow, Moscow, Russia
Washington Post

Confirmed extinction of the Chinese Paddlefish (Psephurus gladius)
Ivan Jaric Tweeted news of his published paper confirming the extinction of the Chinese Paddlefish (Psephurus gladius)
Yangtze River, China

Record Christmas snow cover in Lapland
Powder on the ground is nearly one meter deep in some parts of Finland's northernmost region.
Inari, Lapland, Finland

More than a dozen homes evacuated due to Willow Creek flooding; Mat-Su officials say bridge could be closed for days
The flooding started when large chunks of ice jammed at Deneki bridge, according to an advisory issued by the National Weather Service.
Willow, Alaska, United States

Soil loss during high rainfall event
The following Tweet is an observation of soil erosion and loss from an agricultural field in rural England during a rainfall event. This was documented on Twitter by Dave Throup, Environment Agency Manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
General overviews of increasing rainfall and soil degradation in the UK are attached.
Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom

100 horses confirmed dead in storm
100 dead horses have been found following the major storm that hit Iceland last week. Some are still missing and the search continues. Some horses are known to remain in danger and vets say that farmers are exhausted.
Skagafjörður, Norðurland vestra, Iceland

Buildings Disappears under Snow: "We’ve never before had snow on this scale"
The building, 30 feet to the gable, is buried in snow.
Hofsós, Northwest, Iceland
Electroverse

43,000 litres of milk went to waste in the storm
The severe storm that hit Iceland last week had a major impact on farmers—largely because of power cuts and closed roads. Dairy farmers could not milk their cows during power cuts, and they could not refrigerate the milk that had been collected before the power went off. MS Iceland Dairies received 43,000 fewer litres of milk from farms last week than the week before.
Akureyri, Northeast, Iceland

Nearly 20,000 non-native salmon escaped after fire at B.C. fish farm
One wild salmon advocate fears the non-native Atlantic salmon could spread sickness and compete for habitat with struggling wild salmon population.
Queen Charlotte Strait, British Columbia
British Columbia

The snow is low, but the ice is nice
What little snow has fallen in recent weeks has disappeared, leaving inviting surfaces and smooth terrain to explore.

Pod of Orca whales migrate more than 3,000 miles from Iceland to Italy
A pod of Orca whales has made an unprecedented trip from Iceland to more than 3,000 miles away in Genoa, Italy according to a nonprofit organization that tracks them.
Genoa, Liguria, Italy
ABC News

Winter storm cuts off power to over 50,000 homes
Gusty winds and precipitation began pounding Finland from the southwest on Wednesday morning.
Heinola, Päijänne Tavastia, Finland

Seabird Aggregation Over Abundant Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Professor John Reynolds shared the following video of his observation of a large aggregation of gulls and other coastal seabirds over a large aggregation of Northern Anchovy at White Rock, BC.
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

Deadliest storm in decades for Icelandic horses
Last week’s storm was the most fatal natural disaster to Iceland’s horses in decades. The situation was worst in Vestur- and Austur Húnavatnssýsla, but horses died elsewhere around the country as well.
Vesturland, Iceland

Erosion Threatening Burial Site
A few years ago, people had to cover up parts of the burial site that were becoming exposed.
Wales, Alaska, United States
Racheal Lee, Max Neale, Erica Lujan, Tom Wolforth, Mike Brubaker, Michael Bruce, Debra Seetook, Vladimir Romanovsky, Louisa Castrodale

Ice balls spotted on island in Finland
Hundreds of ice balls could be seen floating on the beach at Ohtakari island in Finland’s Bay of Bothnia.
Kokkola, Central Ostrobothnia, Finland

Car strikes large boulder on rockfall-prone stretch of Seward Highway
No one was injured when a car hit a 6-foot-by-8-foot rock that fell from cliffs next to the Seward Highway late Wednesday.

Where's the snow? Warm weather to keep most of Eaglecrest closed this weekend
Night-time temperatures have been cold enough for snow but the snow quickly melts by morning.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Too icy to ski right now? Not for Junior Nordic
Most of Anchorage is currently covered in ice, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to ski.
YouTube

K300 Season Opener Delayed Again
Poor trail conditions have pushed the Kuskokwim 300 Season Opener race back another week.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

For the first time, scientists have found a dangerous toxin from algae in the Bering Strait and Chukchi Sea
Clams collected in late August had concentrations of saxitoxin considered dangerous for human consumption. The samples were collected in August about 70 miles north of St. Lawrence Island and about 50 miles north of Cape Lisburne, much further north than previously documented.
Cape Lisburne
ArcticToday

Kipnuk the latest village to flood as storms rile the ice-free Bering Sea
This has become the new norm across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Late winters and sudden thawing have turned roads into slush and made rivers and sloughs, which are necessary for travel, less safe because they take longer to freeze.
Kipnuk, Alaska, United States

Mass Worm Stranding
"I saw thousands of these on Drakes Beach on Dec. 6, after the recent storm. What happened?" David Ford
Drakes Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
Bay Nature

Erosion of Burial Site
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States

Stay Off Straight Slough; Four Open Holes Near Bethel
Travelers need to stay off Straight Slough, which flows into the main Kuskokwim River near Bethel.

Thousands Without Power in North Iceland
A storm bringing hurricane force winds and blizzard conditions is raging across the country.
Sauðárkrókur, Northwest, Iceland

2 rock slides close Seward Highway at miles 111 and 106.5
The highway closed after rocks covered the northbound lane at mile 111, near McHugh Creek. A second rock slide was reported near mile 106.5.

In Sweden's Arctic, ice atop snow leaves reindeer starving
Hiila Inga is concerned about the health of his reindeer. His community herds 8000 head each year, between traditional grazing lands in the mountain and the forests further east.
Kiruna, Norrbotten, Sweden
Associated Press

Thousands lose power from the Kenai Peninsula to the Mat-Su as winds ramp up
A wind gust of 113 mph was recorded Monday morning along the Seward Highway near Potter Marsh. Above-freezing temperatures are making side streets icy.

Man who found hiker trapped in Flattop Mountain avalanche said rescue was ‘a miracle’
After being buried, the trapped hiker was able to kick his legs free. A hiker passing by spotted his feet sticking out of the snow.

Alaska Cod Fishery Closes and Industry Braces for Ripple Effect
Gulf of Alaska cod have been in steep decline due to rising ocean temperatures. Now, for the first time ever, federal fisheries managers are shutting down the lucrative fishery because of low stock.
Gulf of Alaska
NPR

Flares used to scare away 63 polar bears besieging a remote Russian village
Amazing footage shows the bears just 150 metres from the nearest house as shooting is criticised - but does little to deter predators.

Victoria Falls dries to a trickle after worst drought in a century
One of southern Africa’s biggest tourist attractions has seen an unprecedented decline this dry season, fuelling climate change fears
Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
The Guardian

BC Hydro reservoirs see record low rain across Vancouver Island
An exceptionally dry November means that water levels are low in the hydro electric watersheds on Vancouver Island. The four reservoirs on the Island, located in Jordan River, Ash River, Puntledge River and Campbell River provide a third of Vancouver Island’s power supply.
Puntledge River, Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria News

Storms worsened during lifetime
*Dr. Brian Starzomski, Director & McTaggart Cowan Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria, shared an observation by his father that coastal storms have worsened during his lifetime*
Ben Eoin, Nova Scotia, Canada

Dozens of polar bears stranded outside Russian Arctic village because of melting ice
Nearly 60 polar bears have been stranded on the Arctic coast near a remote village in Russia's Far East after warm winter weather hampered their hunting routine.
The Telegraph

December Heat Record Broken
December heat records were broken or equalled by at least 53 remote weather-monitoring stations and three manned stations in the first days of the month. The cause was a mass of warm air that moved across the country.
Iceland

Municipal calls to boil drinking water more than double this year
The number of boil order advisories issued by Swedish municipalities have more than double this year compared to 2018, Swedish Radio reports.
Sweden

Ice Fog (Low Visibility) = Cancelled Flights
Open water over the ocean creates conditions that lead to hoar frost and rime ice. These conditions impact travel and are expected to become more common as ice forms later in Norton Sound.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Victoria broke its record for driest November in more than 25 years
November is typically the wettest and stormiest month of the year here on Vancouver Island, but not this year. If it seemed drier than usual, you would be right.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Island

Susitna Valley gets a dump of snow as winds sweep through Anchorage
While Anchorage was getting hammered by wind, snow was piling up in the Susitna Valley — with a whopping 4 feet of snow at Hatcher Pass, according to a rough estimate.

Rock slides prompt intermittent closures of Seward Highway south of Anchorage
Rockfall along the Seward Highway near Beluga Point has been happening since wind and rain battered the area earlier this week.

Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) North of Seasonal Range
The northernmost iNaturalist observation (November-March) of Black-crowned Night-Heron (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) in eastern North America.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Rare flock of birds spotted in Oak Bay
Lesser Goldfinch birds were seen munching on local greenery
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria News

Icy Conditions Send Over Two Dozen to Emergency Room
Since yesterday evening, over two dozen people have visited the emergency room at the National University Hospital of Iceland owing to icy conditions in the Greater Reykjavík area.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland

After months of drought, Chignik Lagoon's wells have finally filled with water
Over the summer, drought and damages to Chignik Lagoon’s water distribution system left the village without drinkable water. The state issued a boil water notice in July, and the wells were dry by August. Residents relied on Packers Creek to supplement their needs through October. Now those worries have subsided; at the end of October …
Chignik Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Intensive rain flood and landslide
Storm event brought high winds and flooding and landslides to Ensenada.
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Richard L Thoman Jr, María Félix-Lizárraga

'Funky' weather brings late harvest
It was out of habit that Rachel Kukull carried foraging tools while hiking through Chilkat State Park. The custom paid off when she spotted on the forest floor a flash of gold that made her scream. Chanterelles in November!
Haines, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Storm Brings Flooding in Newtok
A storm system during the last week of November brought high winds and seas to Newtok and other western Alaska communities.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
Jacqualine Schaeffer, David Beveridge, Brian Lefferts, Edward "Ted" Smith, Gavin Dixon

Big Winds Blowing in Norton Sound
Local reports on the big storm system hitting northern and western Alaska.
Golovin, Alaska, United States
Racheal Lee, Anahma Shannon, Mike Brubaker, Edward "Ted" Smith, Carol Oliver

IPN Virus Detected in East Iceland Fish Farm
It’s the first time that the virus has been detected in salmon in Iceland, though it was found in halibut in 1999. The virus poses no health risks to people.
Reyðarfjörður, East, Iceland

As reported Delta-area mountain lion sightings increase, wildlife managers search for evidence
Joel Holbrook wishes he had grabbed his camera after he and his wife spotted what they swear was a mountain lion near their home, which is located near the Bluff Cabin Trail. Officials have confirmed the presence of mountain lions in Southeast Alaska, but have yet to substantiate reports of animals roaming further north.
*LEO Network says, if you are looking for photo proof, check out the post from Willard Hand in Tazlina.*
Delta Junction, Alaska, United States

Alders (genus Alnus) Budding Out of Season
Warm temperatures are likely causing alders and other woody Alaskan plants to bud in fall and early winter. As winter sets in, the buds are damaged and the plants will produce fewer buds come spring.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Part of Key Largo has been underwater for months
The leaders of Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties have all agreed that climate change is the ultimate culprit for the King Tide problem
Key Largo, Florida, United States

Winter Storm Batters Western Alaska Coast, Taking Out Power And Sea Ice
A big winter storm came in from the Bering Sea and battered the Western Alaska coast from the evening of Nov. 25 through Nov. 26. Some communities, like Hooper Bay, have reported flooding.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States

Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) with Bill Abnormality
A thick-billed murre (*Uria lomvia*) was spotted with a bill abnormality that could be attributed to poxvirus or other virus, trauma, tumor, or congenital abnormality.
Devilfish Point, Unalaska Bay

Bad weather and road salt blamed for uncharged electric buses in Umea
Fredrik Dahlborg, manager of bus manufacturer VDL, told P4 Västerbotten that a combination of the weather and road salt is the problem. Despite this, Umeå municipality say they will keep using the electric buses.
Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden

Weather delays start of Baja 1000
Ensenada and the surrounding areas of the Northern part of the Baja California peninsula have been inundated with more than four inches of rainfall over the last three days which has forced us, in the interest of safety, to delay the start of the race by 24 hours,
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
RACER

Pallets in the marsh melt in warmer climates
Palsmyr is threatened by climate change. At Ferdesmyra in Finnmark, the characteristic ice-filled pals that protrude from the terrain will be gone in a few years.
Ferdesmyra, Norway
Miljødirektoratet/Norwegian Environment Agency

Tofino fish farms reporting mass die-offs due to harmful algae
Blooms are often associated with low dissolved oxygen events and warm ocean water temperatures and weather changes – all of which we are, or have been, experiencing," said Kiemele. Farm owner Cermaq says it has deployed fish protection countermeasures that have already caused conditions to improve.
Herbert Inlet, British Columbia, Canada
CTV News

Stillwright Point nears 80 days of flooding
Stillwright Point, Key Largo, Florida, United States
Keys News

Nearly 1,500 without power as storms roll through
Nearly 1,500 people throughout San Diego County are without power as winter storms sweep through the area.
San Diego, California, United States
KGTV

Utqiagvik celebrates first whale of season in November
It's been a challenging year for whalers in Utqiagvik. Crews started going out in September, but found the bowheads weren't appearing in their usual concentrations in the waters closer to shore. On the water Nov. 16 Panigiuq Crew landed the first whale of the season for Utqiagvik, later than many people can remember ever bringing one in before.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Arctic Sounder

Dry Lake Now Wet
Clark Dry Lake

Sudden snowstorm snarled traffic, caused accidents in Kazakh capital
A severe and sudden snow storm caused traffic jams and road accidents. From Nov. 11 to Nov. 13 alone, more than 230 crashes occurred on the roads of Nur-Sultan, according to the city’s police department. Five people were injured in the accidents.
Nur-Sulta, Kazakhstan
The Astana Times

281 and counting: Well into fall, Hawaii is still setting record highs
From Jan. 1 through Friday, Hawaii has set or tied 281 record high temperatures at official Weather Service stations located at four island airports ― in Honolulu, Hilo, Lihue and Kahului.
Kahului, Hawaii, United States

Erosion threatens campsites at Nome River, Fort Davis
Severe erosion at the Nome River mouth has cost Rita Hukill and her family most of their land at their campsite at Fort Davis.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Settlement of Water Treatment Plant and Numerous Areas in Community
Ground settling is causing a wide range of impacts in Noatak, including to the water treatment plant. But are there benchmarks to monitor the changes in the water plant?
Noatak Alaska
John Warren, David Beveridge, Nellie Wesley, Vladimir Romanovsky, Brian Menghini, Paul Walton, Chris Dankmeyer, John Monville, Mike Brubaker

Rains erase last of ‘severe drought’ in Southeast as conditions improve statewide
Rains throughout October and November mean Southeast Alaska is finally out of “severe drought” status for the first time since September of 2018. Ketchikan, Wrangell and Juneau are still in “moderate drought.”Sitka, Hoonah and Haines remain “abnormally dry,” though not in drought.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

Wildlife sat-nav goes awry as White Stork and Flamingo defy nature and fly to Siberia in winter
Frantic efforts to save the wrong-turn birds from harsh cold.
Barnaul, Altai Krai, Russia

‘It was so unfazed by me’: Woman recounts slobber-covered cat’s encounter with wolverine
Lenny didn’t have a wound on him but hasn’t been the same since, his owner says.

Alaska’s feline Bigfoot? Mountain lion sightings reported in Delta Junction
Biologists say they’ve been unable to confirm several reported sightings, including one from a resident who’s sure a cougar showed up in his yard.
Delta Junction, Alaska, United States

Whitehorse man warns others after falling through ice
The ice may look solid, but emergency officials are warning Yukoners to be wary. M.A. Chartrand learned that the hard way last week.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

It’s November, and Southcentral Alaska’s unusually warm fall has some plants putting out spring buds
As much of the Lower 48 braces for frigid weather, Anchorage-area temperatures have run some 13 degrees above normal so far this month.

Homer man survives bear attack
The man was walking his dogs on a well-used trail when he came across a sow with two cubs, a Fish and Game assistant area wildlife biologist said.
Homer, Alaska, United States

Utqiagvik whalers still hope to land a bowhead as season wanes
Aerial surveys this September and October show the bowheads aren’t where they usually are.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

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