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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

Storm causes flooding of cemetery
The cemetery in Eggedal has suffered major damage after floods and landslides. "Thank God that coffins and remains have not appeared," says the church guardian.
Eggedal kirke, Sigdal, Norway
NRK

Saving Our Seals - 28 sea mammals rescued after becoming trapped in plastic junk
This was a first expedition by volunteers and activists to rescue seals trapped in plastic rubbish on the island, a breeding ground in the Sea of Okhotsk, off Sakhalin.
Siberia Times

U.S. officials allow killing of sea lions eating at-risk salmon and steelhead in Columbia River watershed
The sea lions have posed a long-running conundrum for wildlife officials, pitting mammals protected under federal law against protected — and valuable — fish runs.
Portland, Oregon, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Biologists hope dead sea lion will provide insight into endangered Aleutian population
Officials have been receiving reports of Steller sea lions hauling out on beaches in poor condition, but have been unable to retrieve the animals for research — largely because they are in remote areas.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Salmon rivers closed in face of high temperatures, low water
Salmon rivers like the Exploits River were closed to anglers around the province by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans earlier this week because of low water levels.
Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The Telegram

Sunken Earth
Permafrost thaw is causing tundra to sink and pool water.
Chevak, Alaska, United States

Chum runs on Kuskokwim River are late and low
Usually Aug. 7 is the midpoint of the coho run, but this year it was not until Aug. 8 that numbers at the Bethel test fishery increased, and then only modestly.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Pacific walrus haulout is earliest on record
The Arctic Sounder - Serving the Northwest Arctic and the North Slope
Point Lay, Alaska, United States
Arctic Sounder

Rare white orca spotted off Kupreanof Island
This orca born in 2018 is called Tl’uk, a Coast Salish word for “moon.” Tl’uk is a greyish moon color, without the typical black and white pattern.
Petersburg, Alaska, United States
KTOO

Martelle residents react to devastating severe thunderstorm
Jones County has one of the areas hit the hardest by Monday's severe storms.
Tama, Iowa, United States

They're everywhere - but do they pinch?
The changing summer weather has led to a scissor-like boom in Southern Norway. Biologist reassures those who feel threatened.
Vestby, Akershus, Norway
NRK
Lise Gro Andersen, Christian Nicolai Bjørke, Lars Håkon Pedersen

Russia begins mass vaccination against bubonic plague in danger areas near border with Mongolia
Urgent steps were taken after a wide spread of the pathogen via fleas was detected in two districts - Ovyursky and Mongun-Taiginsky So far 2,500 adults, and 623 children were vaccinated to prevent flea-spreading of the decease.
Republic of Tuva
Siberia Times

Seiners in Southeast Alaska rescue an unlikely hard-shelled visitor
A fishing crew near Prince of Wales Island recently made an unusual catch: a Pacific green sea turtle. This not only excited the crew, but has also caught the attention of marine biologists.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

The cause of the mass mortality of fish in a large river in the Tyumen region has been determined
Local residents made a mound that led to the shallowing of the reservoir.
Тюмень, Tjumen, Russia
Radio Sputnik

Not a good salmon season in the Far East and fishery closes in an area of ​​Kamchatka
Петропавловск-Камчатский, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
FIS World News

Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) has multiple stalks
This is the first time I recall seeing Fireweed that has a form like this.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Fairbanks North Star Borough sees rainiest 12-month period on record
That it’s been a rainy spring and summer is news to no one. But just how wet have the past 12 months been for Fairbanks? According to data compiled by
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Salmon Is Disappearing From Russia’s Amur River. It’s Taking Local Tradition With It
The Amur River, once full of salmon, has seen the fish all but vanish since 2017. The problem started because of over fishing. At first companies were harvesting in the first 100 kilometers of the river, and since they have expanded 700, 800 kilometers upstream.
Khabarovsk, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia
The Moscow Times

In Ufa, a heavy downpour fell down trees and left houses without light
Eyewitnesses posted photos and videos on social networks showing people walking knee-deep in water.
Уфа, Bashkortostan, Russia
Russian newspaper

Last fully intact ice shelf in Canadian Arctic collapses
It lost more than 40 per cent of its area in just two days at the end of July, researchers said on Thursday.
Milne Ice Shelf
Global News

Fuel spill on the Ambarna River in Norilsk
The spill of the fuel-water mixture occurred on the Ambarnaya River in Norilsk during the clean up from the consequences of the accident at the TPP-3.
Норильск, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
RT

Blocked storm sewer eliminates effects of the oil spill
Experts found an airlock in the sewer, which was clogged with garbage and contaminated with oil products.
Сургут, Khanty-Mansiyskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
RT

Resident harvests wayward moose wandering near Utqiagvik
Alaska Department of Fish and Game records show two other unusually wayward moose hunts: One in 2016 taken north of Teshekpuk Lake along the Arctic coast, and another in 2014 on the Kokolik River near Point Lay.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Arctic Sounder

Large forest fire localized in Bilibin district
On Tuesday, August 4, paratroopers of Chukchi and Federal Aviation Protection stopped the spread of a large fire in the Bilibin district.
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Анадырь - Онлайн

Severe drought causes emergency declarations
Because of the severe drought, the Kalmykia authorities have imposed an emergency declaration in seven districts. Since the beginning of summer there has been extreme heat and wind and little rain.
Kalmykia, Russia
Российская газета

Western Red Cedar die-off in Pacific Spirit Park
In the last few years, I have observed a significant die-off of Western red cedar in several high traffic and peripheral areas of Pacific Spirit Regional Park (PSRP). The majority of the cedar trees I saw were noticeably consumed by browning, small, and young, with most likely more shallow root systems. This is consistent with vegetative stress to which young trees have not developed resilience, but older trees may be less impacted
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
David Oswald, Cody Thomas, Lauren Wright

Black bear injures Juneau man after following him through open door
With few fish and limited berries, bear encounters are high in Alaska's capital city this year.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Oil spill in The Komi Republic
In the Usin district of the Komi Republic in Russia, there was an oil spill due to the damage to the pressure pipeline.
Komi, Russia
RT

Polar bear noticed near an urban-type settlement called Ugolnye Kopi
A polar bear was noticed 15 kilometers from an urban-type settlement in Anadyrsky District called Ugolnye Kopi on the morning of August 3. The predator was walking to the shore of the Anadyr estuary.
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Anadyr Online

Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) in Napaimute
This is the second sighting of muskox in the Middle Kuskokwim, which is outside their known range.
Napaimute, Alaska, United States

Watson Lake resident captures 'first record' of ghost moth in Yukon
A longtime resident of Watson Lake, Yukon, has contributed to the world of science — simply by taking a picture.
Watson Lake, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Cloudberry bogs are collapsing - climate change is to blame
In Finnmark and parts of Troms, good and favorite berry bogs have cracked and disappeared. The reason is warmer and more humid climate. "Almost impossible to reverse," says a bog researcher.
Karasjok, Finnmark Fylke, Norway
NRK

White bear on the Junjik River
Unusual coloration in bears is often the result of a recessive gene combination. According to researchers at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, light colored bears have been found in Interior Alaska, although this is the first observation of one submitted to LEO.
Allakaket, Alaska, United States

Wildfire smoke from Siberia keeps drifting into Alaska — and may continue to do so for weeks
A haze visible through Southcentral Alaska on Wednesday was caused by smoke from fires burning in Siberia that began flowing into Alaska in early July.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

In the Altai region, farmers lost 700 million rubles due to drought
The emergency was declared on July 10 due to drought and crop loss. According to the regional Ministry of Agriculture, crops in the region have completely burned on an area of more than 155,000 hectares. Direct damage to agricultural producers exceeded 700 million rubles, and the cost of the lost harvest is estimated at ten billion rubles.
Барнаул, Altai Krai, Russia
Российская газета

Climate change hits back, Svalbard coal mine flooded by melting glacier
After days with record heat at Svalbard, the penetration of water from the above melting glacier is now flooding Norway’s only operating coal mine that supplies the country’s only coal-power plant.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
The Independent Barents Observer

In Kuban, a shepherd was killed by lightning while grazing cows
In the Assumption district of Kuban, a shepherd was killed by lightning while grazing cows. This was reported by the head of the department for go and emergency affairs of the local administration Svetlana Ivanchenko.
Кубань, Гулькевичский район, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
Российская газета

On Stavropol storm wind with a downpour damaged school and homes
On the night of July 29 in the Stavropol region, a sharp deterioration in the weather led to severe consequences. Stormy winds with a downpour damaged power lines and uprooted trees.
Stavropol Krai, Russia

Planet Alaska: The lool always knows
This summer, fireweed has been telling us to prepare for winter. It's been telling us the season is off kilter, too. Here in Juneau we've had fireweed plants that are blooming halfway up the stalk growing next to fireweed with barely any buds.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Summer resident killed by great white in Maine’s first fatal shark attack
Julie Dimperio Holowach, a recently retired fashion executive from New York City, was swimming near Bailey Island on Monday afternoon when she was attacked.
Portland, Maine, United States
Press Herald

Invasive grass carp caught in Chambly Basin
Scientists say the grass carp population in the Chambly Basin is probably small, but the presence of this species in any number is bad news.
Chambly, Quebec, Canada
Montreal Gazette

Even the low temperatures are breaking heat records in Portland
Temperatures are expected to remain above 80 degrees for the rest of the week.
Portland, Maine, United States
Press Herald

Sparrow's Egg Lady's Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium passerinum) Arrives in the Swamp
Orchids often reproduce by sending up additional shoots from the rhizome, but can produce seeds. When they do, the seeds are lightweight and are easily blown around by the wind. The dried swamp may have provided the right nutrients and optimal environment for germination.

Phytoplankton Surge in Arctic Waters
The image shows a bloom of phytoplankton in the Barents Sea, north of Scandinavia and Russia.The floating plant-like organisms are showing up in higher concentrations across the Arctic Ocean.
Barents Sea
NASA Earth Observatory

Yukon sees most mosquitoes in many years, control program says
It may not come as a surprise, but Yukon has seen an unusually high number of mosquitoes this year — and they aren't physically distancing.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Unusually cold July in Hedmark
The last two nights have been cold in the country. In Hedmark, the 56-year-old cold record for July has been beaten.
Dalholen, Folldal, Norway

Hottest Ever Day Recorded in Arctic Svalbard
It was hotter today on Svalbard than in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. So much so, that the previous temperature record from 1979 was smashed.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Life in Norway

Puffin saved by lucky chance
A group on a glacier expedition on Langjökull yesterday stumbled across a puffin lying in the snow. According to group leader Martha Jónasdóttir, the bird was found right at the centre of the glacier—Iceland's second-largest.
Borgarnes, West, Iceland
RÚV

Leduc County declares state of agricultural disaster amid wet conditions
Due to excessively wet weather, Leduc County has declared a municipal state of agricultural disaster.
Leduc County, Alberta, Canada
Global News

Bear chases child near Whitehorse before mom intercepts, say conservation officers
Yukon conservation officers are patrolling after a black bear chased a child near Whitehorse last weekend. The boy's mom managed to get between her child and the animal.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Spruce Trees Producing Huge Amounts of Cones
Unusually large cone crops may be the result of favorable variations in weather across several years.
Koyuk, Alaska, United States

Major Coastal Erosion near Kotzebue
The rate of coastal erosion seems to be speeding up near Cape Blossom.
Cape Blossom, Alaska, United States
Jimmy Evak, Jacquelyn Overbeck, Vladimir Romanovsky

Low Swedish wasp numbers defy expert expectations
It was supposed to be a vintage year for Sweden's wasp population, but instead of an increase in numbers the population has been unexpectedly low. Unseasonable ...
Sweden
Radio Sweden

In Photos: Disastrous Wildfires Sweep Siberia
Gallery | The forest fires have covered an area larger than Greece and are emitting black smog that harms nearby populations.
Yakutsk, Sakha, Russia
The Moscow Times

Boost in bear activity means extra safety measures
The Bristol Bay Times - Serving Dillingham, Naknek, King Salmon and Southwest villages
Dillingham, Alaska, United States
Bristol Bay Timed
Alaska Media, LLC., Steve Keller designer and application developer

7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes King Cove
"I got under my kitchen table and it was very violent and loud and lasted quite a while. The tsunami sirens started right after it stopped."
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Tsunami warning canceled for swath of coastal Alaska after 7.8 earthquake prompts evacuations
People in Kodiak, Homer and Sand Point were among those who headed to higher ground after the quake prompted a tsunami warning from the Alaska Peninsula to the western Kenai Peninsula.
Chignik, Alaska, United States

Homer residents briefly evacuate after quake, tsunami warning
Coastal Alaskans were roused out of bed last night following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami warning. The warning was canceled within a matter of hours.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Homer News

Iqaluit sees record-breaking rainfalls this week
Iqaluit saw record rainfall yesterday, creating turbulent streams. Heavy precipitation may lead to fat berries and caribou, and lots of mosquitoes.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Rare white grizzly bear captured on camera in B.C. park
Named Nakoda by locals, the bear has been seen in Yoho and Banff national parks before, but not very often.
Global News

July on pace to set rainfall record in Yellowknife
With several days left in July, there's a chance that Yellowknife may be on track to break the monthly and summer records for precipitation.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Unusual Pink Caterpillar is a Sawfly Larvae
This pink larvae will grow into a sawfly, which are common across Alaska although not often noticed.
Grayling, Alaska, United States

All forest fires extinguished in Chukotka
All forest fires have been extinguished in Chukotka, where thousands of hectares of natural areas have been blazing before, according to the region's Department of Natural Resources and Ecology. RIA Novosti, 20.07.2020
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
РИА Новости

Orange weather warning: “Like a wall of rain”
The yellow weather alert released yesterday for north and west Iceland has been strengthened to an orange weather warning for the Westfjords region that will stay in effect until midnight. Wind and rain are causing severe disruption.
Ísafjörður, Westfjords, Iceland
RÚV

Dead Seal On The Beach
King Cove Alaska

A bear walks the streets of Anadyr
On Thursday, July 16, a bear walking around the city was found in the district capital. This was reported at 2.00 a.m. by a resident of the village of Tavaivaam to the senior operational duty of the Crisis Management Center...
Anadyr, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
Анадырь - Онлайн

Russian Wildfire Smoke Choking Siberian Cities
Photos of Yugorsk and other cities showed residential buildings fuzzy under a blanket of white smog.
Yugorsk, Khanty-Mansiyskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
The Moscow Times

Summer of the Fly
We are seeing these little flies every outdoors. I don’t recall them like this in the past.

Some salmon return, but ‘not nearly enough’
Chum salmon have started returning the Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc. Hatchery on Channel Drive, but it’s still not enough to establish a broodstock. As the hatchery struggles to ensure future stocks, fishermen are taking what fish they can just for cost recovery.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Finland to bask in warm weekend weather
Conditions will heat up with every passing day and weekend highs will be in the 20s across the country.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Eastern Ontario in grip of worst Gypsy moth outbreak in 30 years
The worst Gypsy moth caterpillar outbreak in Eastern Ontario in 30 years is ripping through city backyard trees and rural forests at an alarming rate.Some pockets of forest north of Belleville, along Highway 7, look like stands of giant toothpicks after being picked clean of their foliage.
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
Belleville Intelligencer

A person was fatally poisoned by mussels in Dutch Harbor, and now Alaska warns of high toxin levels
A person has died from paralytic shellfish poisoning after eating blue mussels and snails in the Aleutian Island community of Unalaska, state health officials confirmed Wednesday.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
KCUB Unalaska

Eastern Ontario in grip of worst Gypsy moth outbreak in 30 years
The worst Gypsy moth caterpillar outbreak in Eastern Ontario in 30 years is ripping through city backyard trees and rural forests at an alarming rate.Some pockets of forest north of Belleville, along Highway 7, look like stands of giant toothpicks after being picked clean of their foliage.
Eastern Canada
Belleville Intelligencer

Red Growth On Aspen Trees are Diplodia Galls (Diplodia tumefaciens)
Diplodia galls are caused by a fungus that causes the tree to overproduce in certain areas. This generally will not kill the tree, but does make the tree more prone to breakage in areas where galls are found.

Brown booby makes rare visit to Ireland
Birders are continuing to flock to Greystones in Co Wicklow after what is believed to be the first ever sighting of a brown booby in Ireland.
Greystones, Leinster, Ireland
RTE.ie

Fisherman snags barracuda off Vancouver Island in rare encounter
Ferocious fish, not native to Canada, was netted and released in Alberni Inlet
Alberni Inlet, Vancouver Island, Canada
Port Alberni Valley News

﻿ ﻿Reports of dead seabirds raise concerns of another die-off
﻿The last few weeks have seen another alarming uptick in the number of dead, emaciated seabirds found washed  up on the shores in the Bering Sea.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Early Ripe Blueberries
Moose Mountain, Fairbanks, AK

The volume of the fuel spilled in Taimyr has more than doubled
The volume of spilled aviation fuel near the village of Tukhard in the Krasnoyarsk region has more than doubled, to 44.5 tons, the press service reported.
Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Radio Sputnik

Nearly 300 Wildfires in Siberia Amid Record Warm Weather
Russia's Aerial Forest Protection Service is trying to suppress 136 fires over 43,000 hectares. Firefighters are using explosives to contain the fires and seeding clouds with silver iodide to encourage rain.
Sakha, Russia

Unusual Plant at Lake is Northern Groundcone (Boschniakia rossica)
I have not seen this before at Cheney Lake.

Tuktoyaktuk working with feds to address climate change and eroding shoreline
"If we can protect the shoreline for another 30 years, it will give us time to move inland because we all can't up and leave tomorrow," Mayor Elias said.
Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada

Multi-headed Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)
Browsing moose may have damaged the primary flowering shoot of the fireweed, causing it to form multiple blooming stalks.
Ester, Alaska, United States

Thousands of blue jellyfish clog cooling system in Israeli power plant
Thousands of jellyfish clogged up a cooling system and threatened to suspend production at a power plant in Israel. Video filmed at the Electric Company power plant on Thursday shows the light blue sea creatures being swept down a chute and into a bin. The power plant, based in the coastal city of Ashkelon, about 15 miles north of the Gaza strip, uses seawater to cool its
Ashqelon, Southern District, Israel
The Independent

Miners hunting for metals to battery cars threaten Sámi reindeer herder's homeland
Tuomas Siilasjoki and Minna Näkkäläjärvi say they were taken by surprise when a mobile drill rig one day appeared in the horizon. Nobody had asked them about exploring for minerals inside their siida, a reindeer foraging area, in northern Finland.
The Independent Barents Observer

Woman killed after bear attack in Krasnoyarsk region
A resident of Krasnoyarsk region died as a result of a bear attack in Krasnoyarsk region. Rescuers recommend residents of the region to refrain from visiting the forests.The incident occurred in the Yenisei district. Not far from the village of Baikal, a woman with her husband and child was resting near the lake. A bear came out of the pond and attacked the victim. The predator managed to drive away, after which the husband took the victim to the hospital. The woman died on the way to the medical facility, KrasnoyarskMedia reports.
Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Известия

Haven't expected fewer plums in ten years
You have to be early if you want plums this year. The cause is cold in flowering. It almost snowed when it was flowering. The bees were barely out, and we can see the result here.
Nedstrand, Tysvær
Tale Hauso, Valentina Baisotti, Rosa Iren Villalobos, Mari Rollag Evensen

California condors return to Sequoia National Park for the 1st time in decades
They were sighted in an area that was historically part of the endangered bird’s range. At least six visited the park in late May.
KTLA

Seem hazy lately? Smoke from wildfires in Siberia might be what you’re noticing
Smoke from wildfires in Siberia drifted to Alaska last year as well, according to the National Weather Service, but Alaska already had hazy skies from local wildfires.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Wild Boars Appear in Moscow Parks, Officials Warn
If you meet one don't look it in the eye.
Moscow, Moscow, Russia

Cinnamon-coloured bear with distinctive neck spotted in Fort Good Hope
What has people talking is the length of the bear’s neck. Some locals wondered if it might be a hybrid polar bear and grizzly or black bear, but officials say it's likely a juvenile black bear.
Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories, Canada

Green Sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) in Kachemak Bay
Until 2007, there have been only three verified reports of green sturgeon in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, and two anecdotal reports from the Copper River and Unalaska areas.
Halibut Cove, Alaska, United States

Blueberries (Vaccinium uliginosum) at 60-mile Steese
These berries were on a south slope in a recently burned area. Seems early to me!
Pleasant Valley, Alaska, United States

Pelicans spotted as far north as Kugluktuk, Nunavut
The arrival of pelicans in Kugluktuk, Nunavut was a surprise, but it's a sign of healthy pelican colonies in general, and in particular of the colony near Fort Smith, N.W.T.
Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada

Measured new cold record in Inland Norway
On Saturday night a new cold record was measured for July at Sognefjellshytta. There is unusually high cold and wind in several places in Norway right now. And little indicates improvement over the next few days.
Sognefjellshytta, Lom kommune
Vibeke Cederkvist, Maria Gran, Even Lusæter

‘A grave concern’: European green crabs discovered on Haida Gwaii
There are many types of crabs that are green in colour, but only the European green crab has five spines on the outside of each eye. The aggressive invasive species was discovered in Skidegate Inlet; and now working group formed to decide next steps.
Skidegate 1, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria News

Odd Looking Bug is a Sawfly
This odd, bright green, bug is a species of sawfly belonging to the family Tenthredinidae.
Aniak, Alaska, United States

Botswana reports mysterious deaths of hundreds of elephants
Officials in the southern African nation have confirmed at least 275 deaths mainly near seasonal water pans. Both male and female elephants of all ages died, with clinical signs limited to neurologic symptoms.
Okavango Delta

Jellyfish the size of dinner plates on Northeast beaches
Some beaches in the northeastern United States are dealing with more than the threat of COVID-19 this holiday weekend. They have to contend with an unwelcome visitor: the Lion's Mane jellyfish.
Scituate, Massachusetts, United States
CNN

Muhos forest fire aftermath
The blaze destroyed large swathes of forest this week.
Muhos, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Is this Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) Sick?
"It's been sitting up on the beach just putting his head up towards the sky and not making a sound."
King Cove

Mongolia Quarantines Russian Border Region Over Bubonic Plague Suspicion
Lab tests confirmed that two individuals had contracted the illness after eating marmot meat.
Khovd, Hovd, Mongolia

Snow on mountain passes: – Should consider winter tires
Low temperatures and precipitation in the form of snow have been reported on several transitions during the day.
Jondal, Vestland, Norway

Mosquito species that could spread malaria found in Finland
*Anopheles daciae*, commonly found in eastern Europe and the Balkan States and thought to be possible carriers of malaria, has been observed in several regions of Finland.
Finland
Yle Uutiset

New song in Canada's white-throated sparrows
Most bird species are slow to change their songs, preferring to stick with tried-and-true tunes to defend territories and attract females — but this shift went viral across Canada.
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Arctic fires worsen and threaten world famous park set up to recreate flora of woolly mammoth era
Worrying videos and pictures show how the pristine polar region of northern Yakutia is ablaze.
Cherskiy, Sakha, Russia
Siberia Times

Southern resident whales returning later to Salish Sea in ‘drastic’ change
Southern resident killer whales made their first appearance in the Salish Sea on Canada Day after more than two months with only a brief sighting off the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Strait of Georgia
Times Colonist

Nearly 60,000 homes left without power following Päivö’s stormy winds
Trees across the region were torn down by the stormy gusts, falling on houses, cars and power lines.
Lieksa, North Karelia, Finland

Extremely Wet June
Fairbanks summers are trending toward more precipitation. June 2020 set two rainfall records for the Fairbanks area.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Plastic pollution in Thailand soars during Covid-19 pandemic
Thai canals are clogged with discarded packaging, landfills are overflowing with mountains of bags, and trash bins are stuffed full of crumpled food wrapping.
Thailand
South China Morning Post

Siberian Wildfires Swell Amid Historic Heatwave
Most of the blazes are in a region that saw possibly the hottest-ever temperature above the Arctic Circle this month.
Verkhoyansk, Sakha, Russia

"Nothing unnatural," about missing lake
Experts established that large snow masses dislodged the water from the lake, which contributed to the passage of melt water towards the Urushten River.
Сочи, Krasnodarskiy, Russia
Радио Sputnik

Dead Baby Sea Otter (Enhydra Lutris)
First time we have ever seen a dead pup.

Millions of moths descend on Quebec cities
A viral video shows the insects blanketing the vehicles in an auto dealership parking lot. The incidence of swarming of this species of moth, aspen tortrix, is increasing.
Roberval, Quebec, Canada

Wasp Gall on Rosebush
Small spiny growths on a rosebush resemble spiny galls created by cynipid wasps.
Denali National Park, Alaska, United States

Nordics detect elevated radiation levels around Baltic
Finland says the low concentrations of radioactive material found in air samples pose no danger.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland

Blueberries in June
Manley hotspring road

Beluga off San Diego is farthest south the species has been documented on West Coast
A beluga whale was spotted Friday off San Diego -- the farthest south the species has been documented on the West Coast, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed.
Point Loma, Coronado, California, United States
FOX 5 San Diego

Pollution of Chernavka River recorded in Khimki
According to preliminary data, the source of pollution is the storm sewer collector operated by the Khimvodostok Municipal Unitary Enterprise.
Химки, Moscow, Russia

Alaska SeaLife Center takes on 6 rescued harbor seal pups
The Seward facility began housing five seals found in the Cook Inlet area and another that was rescued in Juneau.
Seward, Alaska, United States

Emerald ash borer keeping some GRCA properties closed
That includes the trail at the south end of Wrigley Lake in North Dumfries
Byng Island Conservation Area, Ontario
KitchenerToday.com

Walrus tongue tests positive for trichinella in Rankin Inlet
A public health advisory sent out Friday says anyone who has eaten uncooked walrus recently, and has experienced stomach pain, muscle pain, diarrhea, swollen eyelids, sweating and weakness, may be infected with trichinella, 'a parasite that causes worm disease.'
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada

Finnish summer heat record broken again on Thursday
Finland is continuing to heat up this summer - and nearing the all-time heat record for June.
Finland

First a whale, now a bearded seal spotted in Laval
A video posted to social media shows the seal sunbathing on a floating dock in Laval, close to where the Mille Îles River joins the St. Lawrence River.
Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada

Giant 6ft lion's mane jellyfish spotted Colwyn Bay Beach in Wales
Dom Faux, 42, and daughter Eryn were enjoying a walk on Colwyn Bay Beach, north Wales when they came across a huge lion's mane jellyfish measuring six feet across.
Colwyn Bay, Wales, United Kingdom
Mail Online

Hospital workers in PPE suffering in the heat
Hospital staff in protective gear are suffering as central Sweden experiences a heatwave.
Södertälje, Stockholm, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Mysterious Holes in Leaves
Defoliation of willows, alders, and berry bushes may be related to different insect species depending on the plant.
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States

Washed-up Stellar Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) on Front Beach
Female Stellar sea lion found dead on the beach, partially scavenged by eagles. There was no sign of any bullet holes. In addition, there wasn't any other evidence of what happened to the sea lion.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Barbara Mahoney, Gay Sheffield, Julieanne Renee Berikoff, Melissa Good

Thousands of gallons of heating oil spill in Shungnak
The Arctic Sounder - Serving the Northwest Arctic and the North Slope
Shungnak, Alaska, United States
Arctic Sounder

Saint Lucians Urged To Protect Themselves Against Saharan Dust
Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health has advised citizens to take measures to protect themselves from the ill effects of Saharan dust.
Castries, Castries Quarter, Saint Lucia
St. Lucia Times News

'Godzilla dust cloud' from Sahara blankets Caribbean on its way to US
Air quality sinks to hazardous levels as biggest cloud seen in a generation swamps region after transatlantic journey
The Caribbean Sea
the Guardian

Temperature hits 100 F degrees in Arctic Russian town
Much of Siberia this year has had unseasonably high temperatures, leading to sizable wildfires.
Verkhoyansk, Sakha, Russia

Strange waves cause concern in Shishmaref
Denise Fernandez has lived on the island her entire life and says she's never seen waves like she did on Monday.
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States
KTVA

Seaweed invasion hurting fishermen's livelihoods
Seaweed native to the northwest Pacific is invading the rich marine waters of the Strait of Gibraltar and the brown algae is clogging up fishermen's nets and endangering their way of life.
Strait of Gibraltar
Al Jazeera

More Sahara Dust in the air today
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) is advising that the heaviest concentrations of Saharan Dust should begin to impact the islands from today, Sunday 21st June 2020.
Trinidad and Tobago
CNC3 TV

Abnormal heat goes to the north of the Asian part of Russia
Abnormally warm weather will be established in the north of the Asian part of the country: in Yakutia, Chukotka and Krasnoyarsk region. In these regions, the temperature will reach 30 degrees Celsius.

Arctic Russian town records highest ever temperature at 38 C
The temperature in Verkhoyansk hit 38 degrees Celsius on Saturday, according to Pogoda i Klimat, a website that compiles Russian meteorological data.
Verkhoyansk, Sakha, Russia

Orangeville area trees swarming with invasive caterpillars
If you hear the pitter-patter of what sounds like light rainfall but can't feel a drop of water, you probably already know that you have a caterpillar problem.
58228527
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
Orangeville.com

Permafrost melting is causing above and below ground tanks to shift
Thawing is impacting both above ground and underground fuel storage. They have started on a plan to empty the fuel tank and relocate it or fix the foundation.
Tetlin, Alaska, United States
Joy Britt, Vladimir Romanovsky, David Beveridge, Vladimir Romanovsky, Stanley Tayor

Migratory dolphins return to Nepali waters earlier than usual
The early arrival of the dolphins can be attributed to rainfall from cyclone Nisarga that caused rainfall over the Chure range.
Bhajani, Seti, Nepal
Kathmandu Post

Trumpeter swans are newcomers to the nesting scene in Potter Marsh
Between the Seward Highway and Hillside neighborhoods, a pair of swans are raising five just-hatched cygnets. This is the first pair of swans to nest at Potter Marsh in the memory of Anchorage Coastal Refuge managers and local birders.

Increasing catch of spruce bark beetles
"Throughout Viken in the lowlands there is an increasing evidence of spruce bark beetles and that is worrying. What is positive is that in Measure Package No 2 from the Government you receive financial compensation for wind fall logging and forest management" says Lars Kr. Haug, head of forestry at Viken Skog.
Viken county, Norway
Viken Skog

Enormous plume of dust predicted to reach U.S. all the way from the Sahara Desert
The dust should suppress Atlantic hurricane activity, at least temporarily.
Washington Post

"Uncontrolled outbreak" says city in northern Sweden and imposes lockdown
Regional authorities report about 55 new cases since yesterday, with major outbreaks reported from both local retirement homes and among workers at LKAB mining company.
Gällivare, Norrbotten, Sweden
The Independent Barents Observer

Authorities urge caution as forest fires break out around Sweden
Several wildfires are raging around the country and the state weather forecaster, SMHI, has issued forest fire warnings for nearly all of Sweden.
Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Record-breaking heatwave in Siberia
A prolonged heatwave in Siberia is “undoubtedly alarming”, climate scientists have said. The freak temperatures have been linked to wildfires, a huge oil spill and a plague of tree-eating moths.
Siberia, Russian Federation
the Guardian

N.W.T. government warns Nahanni Butte residents to stay aware amid very high water levels
Spring melt combined with heavy rain over the weekend has driven up water levels near Nahanni Butte, which sits on the banks of the Nahanni River. The community is accessible only by boat or plane in the summer.
Nahanni Butte, Northwest Territories, Canada

Oily substance found near Savoonga remains a mystery
About a month ago, residents of St. Lawrence Island found a patch of oily, white goo on the beach, along with some dead sea birds covered in the substance.
Savoonga, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Dead Young Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus)
Young gray whale found dead on the beach.
Pilot Point, Alaska, United States
Maio Nishkian, Gay Sheffield, Barbara Mahoney

After infection of more than 2,000 workers, situation comes under control at Belokamenka construction site
Meanwhile, the spreading of the virus appears to have moved to other towns in the region. Among the new local hotspots for the virus is the city of Monchegorsk where 26 new cases were registered on the 16th June.
Murmansk, Murmansk, Russia

Yellow-tinted Water around Nome Identified As Spruce Pollen
The yellow tinting in ocean water has been identified by the Tanana Valley Clinic as spruce pollen, but it remains to be seen why the pollen counts are so high this year.
Nome, Alaska, United States

Unusual Spider is Actually a Mite
Closely resembling a spider, this long legged mite belongs to the family Erythraeoidae and can be found in many different environments across Alaska.
Newhalen, Alaska, United States

Dead Tomcod (Microgadus proximus) on Beach
Dead tomcod were found on the beach following warm temperatures in Norton Sound, repeating a 2019 mortality event in the same area.
Teller, Alaska, United States

Northern anchovy blooms bring more sea life to Burrard Inlet
Northern anchovy are becoming more comment perhaps due to warmer temperatures. A 10-centimetre-long fish represents an anchovy that's about a year old suggesting that the fish are spawned locally in the pelagic zone, or upper, warmer zone of the seawater.
Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada

Most electrified storm in years
A large chunk of Alberta, particularly in the south and central regions, were throttled by severe thunderstorm...
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
rdnewsnow.com

Calgary picks up the pieces after massive storm hits city with heavy hail damage, flooding
Calgarians are picking up the pieces after a massive storm brought tennis ball-sized hail and flooding to the city Saturday night. A number of community residential roads have also been impacted. Cars left abandoned on major roadways will be towed throughout the day.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Orca pod makes rare appearance in Vancouver’s False Creek
It's a rare sight in Vancouver's False Creek, but a pod of orcas was spotted swimming the city's most inner waterway on Wednesday.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Rare white grizzly bear spotted in Alberta’s Banff National Park
The grizzly, spotted in April, has people pulling off Trans-Canada highways to catch a glimpse of unusually coloured animal.
Banff, Alberta, Canada
The Globe and Mail

Manet invasion in the Oslo Fjord
Large menger glass jellyfish in the Oslo fjord cause problems for both beachgoers and shrimp fishermen. The whole trawl was full before it reached the bottom where the shrimp are.
Saltnes, Østfold, Norway

New possible bottlenose dolphin sighting turns heads in Finland
The eyewitness, who first heard the animal splashing by the southeastern coast, said she couldn't believe her eyes.
Lovisa, Uusimaa, Finland

Next ‘stop’ Kara Sea in the Arctic Ocean?
Toxic fuel from 21,000 ton leak reaches pristine lake, bypassing floating booms, as rivers of diesel pollution cover-up is exposed.
Norilsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia

Colorado weather: Foothills, Palmer Divide get June snow
High elevation areas in Colorado received June snowfall.
Denver, Colorado, United States
The Denver Post

In Chukotka, two runways flooded
In Chukotka, floods flooded the runways in the villages of Vaegi and Markovo, and in the latter 24 homes.
Марково, Анадырский район, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia

'Unprecedented' Siberian Oil Spill Reaches Arctic Glacial Lake
President Vladimir Putin declared a state of emergency last Wednesday, several days after 21,000 metric tons of diesel leaked from a collapsed fuel tank outside the city of Norilsk.The pollution now risks running north into the Arctic Ocean.
Norilsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia

Major flooding in Finnmark: Red danger warning in several municipalities
The great flood has come to Finnmark. Since Sunday evening, several homes have been evacuated and a primary school in Alta has been closed. On Monday morning, the E6 stretch of Lakselv-Karasjok was also closed.
Finnmark
Ida Louise Rostad Journalist Eirik Sørenmo Påsche Journalist Mariam Eltervåg Cissé Journalist Frida Ravna Rømo Journalist Erik Andreassen Journalist Linda Pedersen Journalist Torgeir Varsi Fotograf

Yes, several days of thunderstorms are unusual
After the thunderstorms that moved through Southcentral Sunday evening, Anchorage broke a new record…the most consecutive days with a thunderstorm: three.
ADN

Wild salmon in Irish rivers displaying symptoms of red skin disease
Salmon affected have a characteristic red-spotted rash on their underbelly and may appear lethargic or moribund. In the past few weeks, suspected cases have also been reported in Denmark, Norway and Scotland.
River Leannan, Co. Donegol, Ireland
The Irish Times

Second Landslide Destroys Road in Northern Norway
Eight houses were taken into the sea by the powerful landslide measuring 650 metres wide.
Alta, Finnmark Fylke, Norway
Life in Norway

Strong winds knock out power in south, heading for Lapland on Sunday
Train service between Hämeenlinna and Toijala was halted by a fallen tree, while some 13,000 households lost power.
Vaasa, Ostrobothnia, Finland

Picking Shellfish Yields Tingling Fingers
Is there something that would cause fingers to tingle or swell after touching the mussels and clams?

Multiple bear sightings in Saanich, near UVic
Residents near the University of Victoria are cautioned to be vigilant as authorities are responding to sightings of a bear in the area.
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria Buzz

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