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

Vegetation is now obscuring old lake site
The drained lake basin near Kotzebue, Alaska, has rapidly transformed since 2024, now densely covered with vegetation and expanding erosion, revealing more ice and supporting a thriving ecosystem, highlighting significant environmental changes since the sudden drainage event in 2022.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Susan Tessier, Benjamin Jones, Guido Grosse, Lars Flora

Tropical night in Troms
The Lenangsstraumen weather station in Lyngen, Nord-Troms recorded a tropical night with a minimum temperature of 20.1 °C overnight, part of an ongoing heat spell across Northern Norway.
Lyngen, Troms, Norway
NRK

Small Rodent Crash Triggers Crisis for Ptarmigan: Almost All Nests Plundered
On Varanger Peninsula, record low rodent numbers this summer forced predators like crows, gulls, foxes, and jaegers to raid nearly every ground nest, with only 6 of 94 nests surviving, and models predict a further 30% drop in willow ptarmigan in Finnmark.
Varanger Peninsula, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
NRK

Krasheninnikov Volcano Erupts for First Time in 600 Years
Russia’s Krasheninnikov volcano on Kamchatka erupted on August 3, 2025 for the first time in six centuries, following major seismic activity, sending ash up to six kilometers into the sky.
Kamchatka Peninsula, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Vísir

Cloudberry Shortage in the North – Record Prices Expected
A cold early summer followed by extreme July heat has decimated cloudberry crops in northern Sweden, creating a shortage and driving expected retail prices up to SEK 300 per kilo.
Hällnäs, Västerbotten, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Multiple wildfires in the Ranua and Posio areas in Lapland – also in Tervola, Sodankylä and Rovaniemi
On August 2, 2025 multiple wildfires broke out in Lapland’s Ranua and Posio areas, with additional fires reported in Tervola, Sodankylä, Rovaniemi and Kolar. The largest wildfire, spanning 500 × 500 m, burned near Alavaarantie in Ranua by late afternoon.
Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Here it was Warmest: Very Special
Five locations in Finnmark recorded temperatures above 30 °C on Saturday, an unusually high heat for the region.
Tana, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Thunderstorms rumble Finland as heat goes on
Warnings for thunderstorms and heavy rain have been issued across many areas of Finland as temperatures above 30 °C persist, with potential for hail, strong gusts and local flooding.
Finland
Yle News

Bear ravages Robert Severin's sheep flock
A brown bear has killed six sheep at a farm in Lakselv, Porsanger, and the farmer claims authorities are delaying permission to shoot the animal.
Lakselv, Porsanger, Norway
iFinnmark

Air quality advisories as heavy smoke blankets Northwest Territories
Dense wildfire smoke has prompted air quality advisories across several Northwest Territories communities, leading to health warnings and the opening of clean-air shelters in Yellowknife and Fort Providence.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Substance in Great Slave Lake water likely ash, says DFO
Residents reported an unknown black streak in the waters of Great Slave Lake near Mosher Island; Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed it is likely ash, posing no risk to drinking water or wildlife.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Unusually Intense Thunder Shook the Coast – Maja Captured It on Video
A powerful lightning storm struck Luleå’s coast overnight, and local resident Maja Granberg filmed multiple bursts of lightning from her balcony. Meteorologist Charlotta Eriksson notes that such a high number of discharges is uncommon.
Luleå, Norrbotten, Sweden
Norrländska Socialdemokraten (NSD)

Investigating whether the site is safe
Statsbygg is evaluating if Hopen’s meteorological station should be moved due to coastal erosion and increased storm waves threatening the buildings.
Hopen, Svalbard, Norway
Svalbardposten

A pest that feeds on bees and honey has been found in Alaska for the first time
Alaska officials confirmed the state’s first detection of the small hive beetle at an apiary in the Copper River region, likely linked to imported bees from Mississippi. Experts warn the pest can damage bee colonies and honey, urging coordinated action by beekeepers to contain and eradicate it.
Copper River Census Area, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Forest lies like pick-up sticks after tornado – see drone images
A suspected tornado swept through Västerdalarna on July 31, 2025, toppling dozens of trees along roads between Malung and Öje and temporarily blocking traffic on the E45.
Malung and Vansbro, Dalarna, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Sea waters around UK experience record temperatures, causing dramatic changes in marine life
Sea surface temperatures around the UK have been the warmest start to the year on record, driving unusual species like bluefin tuna, octopus and mauve stinger jellyfish into British and Irish waters. Irish waters have cooled since a May marine heatwave but remain above average in the east and south.
United Kingdom and Ireland
The Irish Times

Warning about dead pigeons in Vestmannaeyjar
The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority warns of an unusually high number of dead pigeons in Vestmannaeyjar and urges the public to avoid handling sick or dead birds without proper precautions.
Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
Morgunblaðið

Polar Bear near Hornstrandir
A polar bear was spotted traveling on an ice floe near the Hornstrandir peninsula in the Westfjords of Iceland.
Hornstrandir, Westfjords, Iceland
Vísir

Retreating Glacier Could Fill Nuuk Fjord with Ice for Years
A study warns that Narsap Sermia’s rapid retreat could plunge into a deep trough, releasing ice into Nuuk fjord year-round for the next two decades.
Nuuk, Sermersooq, Greenland
Sermitsiaq

Finland marks 19th straight day of 30-degree temperatures on Wednesday
Finland recorded its 19th straight day of 30 °C temperatures, breaking the previous record of 13 days set in 1972, as the ongoing heatwave continues across the country.
Parikkala, South Karelia, Finland
Yle News

Additional Forces to Fight Forest Fire in Western Chukotka
A 99-hectare wildfire 32 km from the village of Anyuysk in Bilibino District is being fought by 20 airborne firefighters, with nine more specialists en route by Mi-8 helicopter.
Anyuysk, Bilibino District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
prochukotku.ru

Tick found on visitor after trip to Hornøya – High occurrence of a particular species
A 13-year-old boy discovered a tick on his leg after visiting Hornøya near Vardø, highlighting an unexpectedly high occurrence of ticks on the island.
Vardø, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

105-year-old high temperature record broken in B.C. community
Five communities in British Columbia’s Interior, including Prince George, recorded their hottest July 30 on record, with Prince George narrowly surpassing a 105-year-old temperature record.
Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
CTVNews

Erosion exposing community water line
Erosion is rapidly exposing the community water line. Recent efforts to stabilize the area proved ineffective as gravel is quickly washed away, threatening the water supply infrastructure.
Noatak, Alaska, United States

Polar Bear Shot on Svalbard
A polar bear was shot and killed on Blomstrandhalvøya, Svalbard, after it threatened a group of residents; the Governor of Svalbard has launched an investigation and the four-year-old male bear was taken to Longyearbyen for examination.
Blomstrandhalvøya, Svalbard, Norway
NRK Troms og Finnmark

Unusual squid in Chignik Lagoon
An unusual sighting of squid in Chignik Lagoon, Alaska, highlights a pattern of increasing squid observations in unexpected locations..
Chignik Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Flooding in Uddevalla city centre – parts of a grocery store roof collapsed
Heavy afternoon downpours flooded parts of Uddevalla city centre on 29 July 2025, causing sections of the roof at a Willys supermarket to collapse and disrupting local traffic.
Uddevalla, Västra Götaland, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Slow start – but now pink salmon may come in full force
After a slow start, 66 000 invasive pink salmon have been caught in Troms and Finnmark rivers so far, but volunteers and authorities warn a larger run may still be on its way.
Troms and Finnmark, Norway
NRK Troms og Finnmark

Avian influenza detected in gull
High pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a wild black-backed gull in Vadsø, Norway.
Vadsø, Troms og Finnmark, Norway

Severe Drought Threatens 25% of Crops in Russia’s Agricultural Heartland
Worsening drought in southern Russia’s Rostov and Krasnodar regions could wipe out up to 25% of key grain and oilseed crops, prompting states of emergency in 30 districts.
Rostov and Krasnodar Regions, Southern Russia, Russia
The Moscow Times

Increased Instances of Bears Entering Populated Areas
A female brown bear, likely with a cub, was spotted near the Dudinka–Norilsk road (38 km mark), highlighting a rise in bear occurrences near populated areas and prompting authorities to urge residents to call 112.
Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Taimyrsky Telegraph

Rivers in Lapland where fishing is not recommended – salmonids poorly tolerate heat-warmed waters
Recent heat waves have warmed Lapland’s rivers and lakes, leading Metsähallitus to suspend fishing permits and advise against salmonid fishing in the warm waters.
Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Fishermen of Uelen village accidentally caught a dolphin
Fishermen from Uelen in Chukotsky District hauled in what they believed was a dolphin, but specialists later identified the animal as a harbour porpoise.
Uelen, Chukotsky District, Chukotka, Russia
ProChukotku

Large earthquake in Bárðarbunga
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck the Bárðarbunga volcano under Vatnajökull about 20 minutes before midnight, and it was felt as far away as Akureyri.
Bárðarbunga, Vatnajökull, Iceland
Morgunblaðið (mbl.is)

Unusual Spider
An unusual spider is identified as *Araneus trifolium* or the Shamrock Orbweaver. This species can be found in much of Northern North America.
Grayling, Alaska, United States

Jean Marie River on evacuation alert again as wildfire looms
Jean Marie River has been placed on evacuation alert as the Liard Complex wildfire, about 14 km away, threatens the community, though no immediate evacuation order has been issued.
Jean Marie River, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Storm Wind Halts Anadyr Seaport Operations
On July 26, storm‐force southeast winds gusting up to 19 m/s and light rain forced a temporary shutdown of seaport operations in Anadyr, delaying cargo unloading and canceling passenger ferry crossings.
Anadyr, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
ProChukotku

2nd Anchorage-area hiker mauled by bear in under a week
A hiker near the South Fork of Eagle River was mauled by a bear feeding on salmon and sustained non-life-threatening injuries; it's the second attack in the Anchorage area in under a week.
Chugach State Park, Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Forest fire being extinguished 200 kilometers from Bilibino
A wildland fire covering about 94 ha is being fought 200 km southwest of Bilibino in Chukotka, with 20 firefighters, a Mi-8 helicopter, chainsaws, water pumps, and no threat to settlements.
Bilibino, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
ProChukotku

I swung my fist as hard as I could: Man recalls northwest B.C. cougar attack
A Smithers man reports punching a cougar in the face during an unexpected encounter near Lake Kathlyn on July 26, sustaining minor injuries before the animal fled; conservation officers are monitoring the area for further cougar activity.
Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
Yukon News

Bear attacked man in Allaikhovsky District
A brown bear attacked a man near the Elong River in Allaikhovsky District on 26 July 2025, causing serious injuries. The assault was sudden and unprovoked. Authorities have launched a cull to control the bear population and protect public safety.
Allaikhovsky District, Sakha Republic, Russia
Yakutia.Info

Humpback whale found dead in Gastineau Channel
A young male humpback whale calf was discovered dead drifting near Sandy Beach in Gastineau Channel and towed by U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA officials to undergo a necropsy.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Reindeer-herding enterprise in Anadyr District renews herd for first time in 37 years
More than 860 young reindeer were driven from the Chaunskoye breeding farm to the municipal enterprise 'Named after the First Revkom of Chukotka'; the 200+ km trek to the Ust-Bel tundra took two weeks and marks the enterprise's first herd renewal in 37 years after a long brucellosis quarantine was lifted.
Anadyrsky District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia

SOS Overloaded with Fire Alarms: "It Takes Longer to Get Help"
SOS Alarm in Norrbotten, Sweden is experiencing extreme call volumes from approximately 20 fires triggered by lightning in a heatwave, resulting in delayed emergency response times.
Norrbotten, Sweden

Enormous fire rages in roadless land: 'Waiting for help from the sky'
A 250-hectare lightning-caused wildfire continues to burn in remote forest near Lillselet in Jokkmokk, with firefighters unable to extinguish it until rainfall arrives.
Jokkmokk, Norrbotten, Sweden

Mjøsa and the Lågen are especially green this summer
The waters of Mjøsa and the Gudbrandsdalslågen River in Innlandet, Norway, have turned an unusually intense blue-green color this summer due to glacial meltwater carrying fine rock particles.
Lillehammer, Innlandet, Norway
NRK

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