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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

Whitehorse digs out after another heavy dump of October snow
The Yukon capital was already buried under a thick blanket of autumn snow at the start of the week. Then residents woke to another big dump on Wednesday.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Human skull washed up in Kotzebue last month is ancient, village officials say
A human skull found in Kotzebue in October is ancient, with officials confirming it is not contemporary. The skull was discovered in an area formerly used as a burial site. Since the recent flooding, police said they received three reports of remains washing up on shore in the Kotzebue area.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Orcas revive 'dead salmon hat' trend from the 1980s
Researchers in Washington reported observing orcas in Puget Sound balancing salmon on their heads, a behavior not seen in decades.
Puget Sound, Washington, United States
Vancouver Sun

Two Bears Are Shot In Building on HPR
A brown bear and one of her two cubs were shot and killed by a Sitka resident early Thursday after the animals entered into a storage building in the 4200 block of Halibut Point Road, in the vicinity of the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, and were trying to get into freezers.
Sitka, Alaska, United States

After rescue, eagle in the Chilkat Valley tests positive for avian flu
A bald eagle rescued in Haines, Alaska, tested positive for avian flu after being taken to the Alaska Raptor Center. The flu, affecting birds across the state, also raises concerns for domestic poultry and public health.
Haines, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Finnish Lapland hit by 30-year autumn warm spell
Temperatures reached a high of 11.2 degrees Celsius in Kilpisjärvi on Friday, compared to a high of -1.7 degrees on the same day last year.
Kilpisjärvi, Lapland, Finland

High winds cause erosion and flooding in region
Nome Public Schools were closed on Monday. Bering Air did not fly on Monday and canceled or delayed flights on Tuesday morning. Alaska Airlines canceled its evening flights for Sunday and Monday but flew as scheduled the morning flights.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

A record breaking snow storm?
In this case, the weather models were showing a strong push of cold air coming out of the Yukon, a push of warm air coming up from the south and a low spinning up from the Gulf of Alaska.
Haines, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Sunny dry day in Chugach Mountains
A typically snowy region, Valdez experienced an unusually dry October with receding snow lines and a dry riverbed.
Valdez, Alaska, United States
Wilson Justin, Richard L Thoman Jr, Matthew Druckenmiller, Crane Johnson

Jellyfish Invasion Raises Dog Safety Concerns
The storm event on October 21st brought an invasion of jellyfish to flooded areas. Eating jellyfishis thought to have resulted in one dog fatality, raising concerns for pet owners across Kotzebue.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Jacqualine Schaeffer, Laurie Meythaler-Mullins, Gay Sheffield, Tom Okey

Fall 2024 Storm Exposed Coastal Permafrost
A severe fall storm in 2024 exposed coastal permafrost in Kotzebue, revealing ice layers previously covered by clay or plants and raising concerns about increased melting and environmental contamination.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Jacquelyn Overbeck, Alexander Kholodov, Susan Tessier, Vladimir Romanovsky, Anna Liljedahl

High winds cause erosion and flooding in region
A storm system with high winds and significant flooding impacted western Alaska, causing damage and disruptions in several communities.
Western Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

The Chukotka village of Rytkuchi was flooded by a surge wave due to a strong storm
Во вторник, 22 октября, в селе Рыткучи городского округа Певек из-за шторма начался подъём уровня воды. В результате подтопления двух многоквартирных домов пришлось расселить 45 человек. В целях безопасности в населённом пункте отключили электричество, сообщает ИА "Чукотка".
Рыткучи, Чаунский район, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia

Storm Submerges Kotzebue
A record storm caused extensive flooding in Kotzebue, Alaska, submerging the town and prompting community concern and relief efforts.
Anna Liljedahl , Jacqualine Schaeffer, Richard L Thoman Jr, Gemini

Fall storm damages houses in Kotzebue and Northwest Alaska villages
A severe fall storm caused significant damage in Kotzebue, Alaska, with high winds and rising water levels leading to airport inaccessibility, disrupted flights, and emergency declarations.
Anchorage Daily News

Believe they could have saved more of the 190 reindeer that went through the ice with the right equipment
Nearly 190 reindeer perished after falling through thin ice in Finnmark, revealing a lack of proper rescue equipment and the need for better emergency preparedness in reindeer herding communities.
Kautokeino, Finnmark Fylke, Norway
NRK

Juneau water levels recede after moderate Mendenhall Lake and River glacial outburst
The National Weather Service has canceled a flood warning issued Saturday as waters continue to recede Monday morning.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Adelyn Baxter, KTOO - Juneau and Clarise Larson, KTOO - Juneau

‘A beautiful thing’: Klamath River salmon are spotted far upstream in Oregon after dam removal
Less than two months after the removal of dams restored a free-flowing Klamath River, salmon have made their way upstream to begin spawning and have been spotted in Oregon for the first time in more than a century.
Klamath, California, United States
Los Angeles Times

Fox Attacks House Cat
A fox attack on a house cat in Kotzebue, Alaska, raises concerns about unusual wildlife behavior, potentially linked to diseases like rabies or avian influenza, and highlights the importance of disease prevention and wildlife management.
Russell Cameron , Kimberlee Beckmen, Gemini

Where did the amphibians go?
A local Trinidad and Tobago resident reports an unusual absence of toads and frogs during the rainy season, following an intense drought, marking a first in 34 years.
Laventille, San Juan/Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago

Browning Crowns in Tombstone Territorial Park
Taller trees in Tombstone Territorial Park are experiencing browning due to increased exposure to harsh winter conditions, amidst inconsistent snowfall and local climate changes.
Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory

Late Freeze-Up on Elim Creek
Observers in Elim, Alaska, report an unusually late freeze-up of local creeks, a trend echoed across the Seward Peninsula and other parts of Alaska, attributed to warmer than normal air temperatures and impacting travel and subsistence activities.
Elim, Alaska, United States

That mysterious animal spotted in Anchorage? Likely not a wolf, Fish and Game says
Photos of the animal recently circulated widely online, prompting a flurry of debate about whether the animal was a wolf or just a dog.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Early season snowfall
An early snowfall was observed in Anchorage on October 9, 2024, weeks ahead of the typical mid-October snow, following a sudden temperature drop from the mid-50s to low 30s Fahrenheit.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

New Ketchikan landslide blocks road, cutting off motorists
The Revilla Road slide came Sunday evening after heavy rains and initially trapped six vehicles with eight people inside, local officials said. Cleanup continued Monday.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Fast-growing Hurricane Milton is officially a Category 5 storm as it nears Florida
Milton grew quickly into a Category 5 storm Monday morning and is forecast to make landfall in Florida midweek.
Tampa, Florida, United States
Alaska Public Media

First known video footage of brown bat in the Beaufort Delta
Eric and Louise McLeod have been visiting their cabin south of Aklavik, N.W.T., for 25 years. On their most recent trip, they saw something they never had before.
Aklavik, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

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