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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

Rain makes roads and sidewalks treacherous as Anchorage sees record high temperature
Merrill Field Airport reached 47 degrees on Monday and temperatures Tuesday remained in the high 30s and low 40s throughout Anchorage.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Extreme winds, waves and storm surge cause damage and flooding across N.L. Sunday
A high-intensity winter storm caused extensive damage and flooding in Newfoundland and Labrador, with high winds reaching 151 km/h and reports of significant flooding and infrastructure damage.
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
PNI Atlantic News

Repeated Oil Spill on Anapa Coast
On January 2nd, a repeat oil spill was observed on the beach near the Dynamo recreation base in Anapa, discovered by a volunteer team from the Leningrad region of Kuban, who are responsible for this area.
Anapa, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
Российская газета

Anchorage’s low-snow December makes for idle plows and happy skaters
Just under 2 inches of new snow fell the entire month, making it one of the least snowy on record. Last season was the second snowiest on record. The winter of 2011-12 set the record for the city’s snowiest. A few winters later, Kutz said, “we dropped down to minimum snow.”
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Strong winds, ice cause power outage in Umiujaq
A severe weather event featuring strong winds and ice accumulation caused a power outage for 73 customers in Umiujaq, Quebec on December 30, 2024. The remote community relies on Hydro-Québec's off-grid system, and while power was restored by December 31, the airport terminal remains reliant on a backup generator.
Umiujaq, Quebec, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

In the continental region on Friday down to minus 53 degrees
On December 27, Chukotka will experience cloudy weather with patches of clearing, and temperatures may drop to minus 53 degrees in the continental region.
Chukotka, Far Eastern Federal District, Russia
Chukotka News

Avalanche Blocks Road at Súðavíkurhlíð
Several avalanches occurred in Súðavíkurhlíð in Iceland's Westfjords, resulting in the closure of the road. Ongoing avalanche hazards and adverse weather conditions continue to impact the region.
Súðavíkurhlíð, Westfjords, Iceland
Vísir

Rare cougar sighting reported in urban Vancouver, far from wilderness
A rare sighting of a cougar was reported in Vancouver's urban Dunbar area, close to Pacific Spirit Regional Park, prompting caution among residents.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Strongest earthquake in Helsinki's history recorded on Christmas Day
Helsinki experienced its strongest recorded earthquake on Christmas Day, with a magnitude of 1.1. Though minor, it startled many residents, who reported a loud bang in the Käpylä area.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle News

Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, without power most of Christmas Day
Rankin Inlet in Nunavut experienced a power outage on Christmas Day due to snow and freezing rain causing ice accumulation on power lines, disrupting local services.
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada
CBC News

BC Ferries cancels multiple sailings Dec. 25 due to wind and heavy rain warnings
BC Ferries has cancelled all sailings between Duke Point and Tsawwassen on December 25th due to severe weather forecasts predicting high winds and heavy rain.
British Columbia, Canada
CHEK News

Bethel Christmas bird counters spy rare bird, despite windy conditions
During the Christmas bird count in Bethel, despite high winds, volunteers spotted two bald eagles and a red-breasted nuthatch, marking the first sighting of the nuthatch in 21 years of the event.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
KYUK

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

Two killed when tree falls on truck on U.S. 2 near airport exit
Two people were killed when a tree fell on their truck on U.S. Highway 2 near Spokane International Airport, likely due to heavy winds.
Spokane, Washington, United States
The Spokesman-Review

Kuskokwim River ice still a work in progress, aerial survey finds
An aerial survey of the Kuskokwim River revealed variable ice conditions, impacting travel safety as the winter progresses.
Akiak, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Russia Declares Federal Emergency Over Black Sea Oil Spill
Russia has declared a federal emergency due to a significant oil spill along the Black Sea coast, affecting 55 kilometers of coastline, following the damage of two oil tankers during a storm.
Anapa, Krasnodarskiy, Russia
The Moscow Times

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

Thousands without power in B.C. amid high winds, storm surge warning issued
High winds of up to 100 km/h have left thousands without power in British Columbia, with a storm surge warning issued for Metro Vancouver and coastal areas.
Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

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

Rapid Temperature Increase
The temperature at one location in Anchorage rose from 16°F on December 7, to 43°F on December 8, highlighting the large temperature differences in short distances that are common during the winter months in much of Alaska due to the lack of heating from the sun and snow cover.

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

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