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

Where are the Songbirds?
There have virtually no songbirds at our bird feeder this month. Wondering (and a little worried) where they have all gone to, and whether this is neighborhood, or something that is being noticed more broadly.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Gillian Brubaker , Caroline Van Hemert, Kimberlee Beckmen, Mike Brubaker, Chris Bacon

Bin-busting bears in Tofino and Ucluelet making quick work of bear-resistant garbage cans
Wildlife officials report that bears in Tofino and Ucluelet have learned to breach bear-resistant garbage bins, leading to concerns about increased bear-human conflict.
Tofino and Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
CBC News

Bird flu update: California declares emergency and U.S. sees 1st severe human case
A person in Louisiana has been hospitalized after being exposed to sick and dead birds. Meanwhile, California has declared an emergency over its growing outbreak in cattle.
Louisiana, United States
NPR

Sailors Rescued From Second Russian Oil Tanker Damaged in Storm
A severe storm in the Kerch Strait damaged two Russian oil tankers, resulting in an oil spill and the death of one crew member, while rescue operations were delayed due to adverse weather conditions.
Kerch Strait, Russia
The Moscow Times

Lions Bay mudslide tragedy leaves one dead and one person missing, local emergency declared
A mudslide in Lions Bay, British Columbia, has resulted in one death and one person missing, prompting a local emergency declaration and highlighting the area's vulnerability to debris flows due to past geotechnical oversight.
Lions Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Snowfall causes significant power outages, most are now restored
A heavy snowfall led to power outages affecting about 3,500 homes in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, though most have now been restored.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Ice causes cancellations and delays in Nome
Icy conditions in Nome, Alaska, caused numerous organizational closures and delays on December 10, affecting schools, preschools, and local corporations.
Nome, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

Not-so snowy start to winter casts a gloomy shadow over Lapland tourism
A lack of snow in Finland's far north has disappointed tourists and snowmobile safari operators alike.
Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
News

Earthquake swarm in western Aleutians
An earthquake swarm was detected on Sunday in the western Aleutians, beginning with a 6.3 magnitude quake near Bobrof Island, followed by more tremors including magnitudes of 6.3 and 6.1.
Bobrof Island, Aleutians, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

Rain in December
Unusually warm weather in early December 2024 has led to rain in Anchorage, Alaska, marking the most December rainfall since 2018, driven by a warm air surge from the eastern Pacific.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Anchorage and some Mat-Su schools shift to remote learning as rain coats roads in ice
In Anchorage and Mat-Su, schools shifted to remote learning due to dangerous icy road conditions caused by freezing rain, leading to transportation disruptions and multiple accidents.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Bear attacks worker, ransacks meat section in Japan supermarket rampage
Bear attacks are a growing headache for the country, especially in northern Japan. Climate change is interfering with flowering and pollination schedules, disrupting bears’ food, and forcing them to venture out to urban areas in search of sustenance.
Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan
CTVNews

Winter warms up over much of Alaska
Alaska is experiencing an unusual warm-up with a Pacific low bringing heavy rain, freezing rain, and snow. Southeast Alaska reports significant precipitation and above-normal temperatures.
Alaska's News Source

Several Roads Closed in Troms After Snow Avalanche
Several roads in Troms, Norway, have been closed due to snow avalanches, while authorities warn of challenging driving conditions across Northern Norway, particularly due to heavy snowfall and slick roads.
Troms, Norway
NRK

CBJ closes facilities all day Monday, remote learning day for schools as heavy snowstorm fouls roads
Juneau faced a severe snowstorm, prompting the closure of city facilities and a switch to remote learning for schools on Monday. Authorities advised residents to avoid travel due to dangerous road conditions.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Small landslide in Ketchikan after heavy rainfall
A small landslide occurred in Ketchikan due to heavy rainfall, affecting a private property on Hillside Road.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

Heavy snow and numbing temperatures keep parts of the U.S. in a deep freeze
Heavy snow and biting cold keep parts of the U.S. in deep freeze as the Thanksgiving weekend ends, affecting travel and daily activities.
Lowville, New York, United States
CTV News

Newtok shuts down its critical infrastructure
Newtok, a community in Alaska, has shut down power and water services as part of a relocation effort due to permafrost deterioration and coastal erosion dangers.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Heavy snow dump over northern B.C. turning into freezing rain
A major winter storm has hit northern and central British Columbia, delivering up to 50 cm of snow which is now turning into freezing rain as temperatures rise.
Stewart, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

Five people missing in wintry seas near southern tip of Haines Borough
A search is underway for five individuals missing after their fishing boat capsized in the wintry seas near Point Couverden, Alaska. The Coast Guard, supported by others, is leading the search efforts following a mayday call.
Point Couverden, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Mont-Tremblant World Cup skiing races cancelled due to warm weather
The PwC Tremblant World Cup was cancelled due to warm weather, preventing the production of suitable snow conditions for the event.
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
CHEK

Biggest November snowstorm in half a century hits Seoul and grounds flights
Seoul experiences its heaviest November snowstorm in more than 50 years, resulting in flight cancellations and commuter chaos, with at least two casualties reported.
Seoul, South Korea
CTV News

'Blizzard of the Century' Blankets Far East Russia's Amur Region
A severe blizzard in Blagoveshchensk, Far East Russia, brought 36 cm of snow, leading to a state of emergency being declared.
Blagoveshchensk, Amur Oblast, Russia
The Moscow Times

Penguin 'Gus' on His Way Home – After Unusual Holiday
Emperor penguin 'Gus' was found malnourished on a tourist beach 3,500 km from his Antarctic home; he is now returning home after weeks of rehabilitation.
Western Australia, Australia
SVT Nyheter

Mama orca and her kids go 'grocery shopping' near downtown Vancouver
A family of killer whales was spotted near downtown Vancouver in a rare sighting likely linked to hunting for seals.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Yukon News

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