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

Unusual Winter Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Sighting
Although bears may hibernate for different lengths of time during winter, winter bear activity is an uncommon sight for Alaska Peninsula residents.
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Parks Canada euthanize cougar showing aggressive behaviour
Parks Canada wildlife officials responded in the early hours to a report of a cougar near Muskrat and Wolf Street in Banff on Jan. 13 at 3:50 a.m.
Banff, Alberta, Canada
thecragandcanyon

Whitehorse city workers pile snow high to keep roads clear after early winter storms
City of Whitehorse crews have been dealing with record amounts of snow on residential streets and roads. Thousands of truckloads of snow will be hauled away keeping a small army of city workers and contractors busy with plenty of overtime.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Thousands of salmon lost in major seal attack
More than 50,000 juvenile fish were killed or escaped in the incident on Skye, says an industry body. The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) said predation attacks continued to have a significant impact on fish health and welfare.
Portree, Scotland, United Kingdom
BBC News

Power restored to more than 140,000 homes after B.C. windstorm
Power has been restored to more than 140,000 homes after a nasty overnight windstorm moved across the South Coast, leaving fallen trees and sagging power lines scattered across the region.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
CBC

Divers Assess Risk of Oil Leak From Sunken Ship
A large feed boat belonging to fish farming company Laxar sunk in Reyðarfjörður, East Iceland last weekend. Vísir reports that divers were sent out to the ship yesterday to assess the risk of oil leakage from the vessel, which contains around 10,000 litres of diesel oil in addition to 300 tons of feed.
Reyðarfjörður, East, Iceland
Iceland Review

Avalanche hits ski resort near Norilsk
Father missing under snow; more than 200 people continue search and rescue at -23C, snowstorm and bleak light of polar night.
Norilsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
Siberian Times

Storm Filomena paralyzes Madrid, leaving the Spanish capital immobilized and in a critical condition
The unexpectedly heavy snowfall has blocked roads, left the emergency services unable to circulate and has caused dangerous situations due to falling branches.
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
EL PAÍS

Orca pod returns to the Broughton Archipelago after more than 20 years
The A5 pod has returned to the Broughton Archipelago, their traditional winter hunting ground, with a brand new baby in tow.
Fife Sound, Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria News
Zoe Ducklow, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

First record in Canada: Rare bird common in Japan seen in Yukon
A rare bird was spotted last week in Yukon. Birders flocked to Haines Junction last week to spot a hawfinch, which was thousands of kilometers out of its usual range.
Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Killer whale rescued after getting stranded on remote Scottish beach
The BDMLR scrambled to help the orca with the help of locals in Orkney.
Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom
Metro

8 homes on Hood Canal evacuated due to landslide on Kitsap County cliff
Residents in Seclusion Cove were evacuated Monday night due to a landslide. As residents were warned of the threat, Poulsbo Fire said trees were heard cracking.
Poulsbo, Washington, United States

3rd body found after landslide in Norway; 7 still missing
Rescue teams searching for survivors four days after a landslide carried away homes in a Norwegian village found no signs of life Saturday amid the ruined buildings and debris. Three bodies have been recovered but searchers are still looking for seven more people believed to be missing. The landslide in the village […]
Ask, Akershus, Norway
NBC4 WCMH-TV

Lake Washington sockeye hit record low, another signature Seattle fish at brink of extinction
Some 22,950 sockeye were counted at Ballard’s Hiram Chittenden Locks in 2020, but only about 3,000 made it to the mouth of the Cedar. Another 40 to 50% of those fish typically die on the spawning grounds before they can reproduce.A vortex of climate change, urbanization and predators endangers a beloved species.
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seattle Times

Strange electric rays wash up on Provincetown beach
Researchers document unusual find: 31 torpedo rays wash up on Provincetown beach just after Christmas.
Provincetown, Massachusetts, United States
Cape Cod Times

An Increase of Hail in Victoria, British Columbia
Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the occurrence of hail during the winter and early spring months. This type of weather is very unusual for this area. While our current experiences with hail have been mild, an increase in frequency and severity is cause for concern.
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Lentinar Clouds Observed for First Time
Lentinar clouds are a rare event in Western Alaska. These amazing photos were taken in Chuathbaluk a Yupik community on the Kuskokwim River.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Anna Michael, Chyna Williams

Sperm whale washes up in Ponte Vedra Beach
A dead 14-foot pygmy sperm whale washed ashore on Ponte Vedra Beach on Friday morning behind the Sawgrass Beach Club.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, United States
WJXT

A New Clam in Town
Razor clams are the newest addition to Iceland’s resident fauna, RÚV reports. Researchers believe that the bivalves, which got their name in English from their long skinny shape, sharp edges, and resemblance to old fashioned straight razors, were brought to Iceland in the bilge water of cargo ships.
Hafnarfjörður, Capital Region, Iceland
Iceland Review

Two foxes test positive for rabies in Tuktoyaktuk
After two foxes tested positive for rabies in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., health officials are advising anyone who has come in contact with a fox to contact the local health centre and report the incident immediately.
Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada

Ten injured and 21 missing after landslide destroys houses near Oslo
The tide of mud and clay destroyed as many as 14 houses in Ask in the municipality of Gjerdrum, some 30km north of Oslo. Hundreds were evacuated and police said 21 people living in the affected area were still unaccounted for. The landslide area is known for its "quick clay", a form of clay that can behave more like a liquid than a solid when disturbed. It is thought heavy rain in recent days may have caused the soil to shift.
Gjerdrum, Viken, Norway
The Independent

Duck die-off likely caused by fungal infection
The cause of death is almost certainly acute Aspergillosis, a respiratory tract infection caused by a fungus commonly found in soil, dead leaves, moldy grain, compost piles, or in other decaying vegetation. Wildlife managers say the die-off seems to have stopped, likely due to the fungus source no longer being available.
Salmon, Idaho, United States
ktvb.com

Preserved carcass of Ice Age woolly rhino found in Siberian permafrost
The frozen carcass is 80 per cent intact and may be around 34,000 years old. Two extinct cave lion cubs were also found here in the Abyisky district of Yakutia last year close to a tributary of the remote Tirekhtyakh River.
Badyarikha River
Metro

Tundroviks of Yamal district will be helped with fuel and feeding for reindeer
In the very north of the Yamal Peninsula, deer pastures were covered with an ice crust due to heavy frosts after the rains. Monitoring and communication of specialists with reindeer breeders confirmed the fears - ice may provoke deaths of the reindeer herd. Assistance will be provided with feed, but emaciated animals must be slaughtered.
Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia
ИА «Север-Пресс»

After record heat comes extreme cold to Russian Arctic coast
The year is coming to a close with temperatures down to minus 50 °C in parts of northern Siberia.
Норильск, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
The Independent Barents Observer

The result is clear: 2020 is the hottest year ever in the country
Experts fear the future could be like the record year 2020: Shorter and warmer winters, wetter summers.
Oslo, Oslo, Norway
NRK
Louise Scharff Thommessen, Tiril Mettesdatter Solvang, Hallvard Nordum

Reeking whale carcasses plaguing Withernsea with sickening smell
Given the rarity of similar incidents, the whales have attracted a large crowd since Christmas Eve. On Boxing Day, the Coastguard confirmed that patrols have been taking place to ensure the safety of the public in the days since the animals were stranded.
Withernsea, England, United Kingdom
HullLive

Kennebec River floods banks following Christmas storm
Augusta, Hallowell, Gardiner, see waters rise due to rain, melting snow following storm.
Hallowell, Maine, United States
Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel

Stranded whale pod beaches in East Yorkshire
Up to 10 sperm whales have been stranded between Withernsea and Tunstall on the coast. Members of the coastguard and British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) are on the beach, between Tunstall and Withernsea, near Hull.
Withernsea, England, United Kingdom
BBC News

Massive mountain rockslide near Juneau shakes the earth on Christmas Eve
Around Christmas, there were reports of an earthquake and major mountain rockslide in the wilderness near Juneau. But what came first? The earthquake or the slide?
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Storm blasts Southcentral Alaska with wind gusts over 100 mph
A storm bringing strong wind, rain and snow to Southcentral Alaska on Tuesday caused power outages from Anchorage to Whittier and damaged some homes on the Anchorage Hillside. The weather service reported a peak gust of 133 mph on Sunburst mountain on the western Kenai Peninsula.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Dolphin and seal deaths in Waterford Harbour spur call for inquiry
Verified reports of deaths and circumstantial evidence animals trapped in ‘bycatch’
Waterford City, Ireland
The Irish Times

Polar bears leave the Chukchi village of Rrykaipi
As of December 18, only 3 polar bears remained. The polar bears had gathered near the village when a strong southern wind moved ice away from the shore, leaving the animals to move by shore to Kozhevnkov Cape, where the predators eat walrus remains.

Yet Another Mudslide in Seyðisfjörður, Whole Town To Be Evacuated
After a week of extreme rainfall, devastating landslides have hit the town of Seyðisfjörður in east Iceland. Another large mudslide hit several buildings in town around three pm, sweeping at least one building away.
Seyðisfjörður, East, Iceland
Iceland Review

Amid frigid temperatures, Fort Simpson warming shelter to open ahead of schedule
In the midst of an extreme cold spell across the N.W.T., community members in Fort Simpson are opening a warming shelter. Despite limited resources, the community has rallied to ensure people have a safe space to go. Whether they're experiencing housing insecurity or in a tough spot and need somewhere to warm up, people know a place is available to them.
Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada

Container ship "Sparta-3" stuck in ice in the Yenisei Bay
A container ship froze into the waters of Yenisei Bay in Russia’s Arctic. Traveling from Dudinka to Arkhangelsk, the ship got stuck in ice on December 13. The crew battled icing, but was not in danger. Three weeks later, the ship was able to break free. According to Atomflot, the ship did not have necessary permissions to sail along this section of the Northern Sea Route.
ТАСС

Leading the charge: City welcomes fleet's 1st electric bus
Bus is expected to be rider-ready in February.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Bleeding tar makes road travel hazardous
Vegagerðin (the Road and Coastal Administration) is encouraging people to postpone journeys on Route 1 in the west and northwest of the country due to significant amounts of tar bleeding from the road surface and causing considerable danger and damage to vehicles. Clumps of tar collect and harden on the tyres of passing vehicles, making driving treacherous. Chunks fly off and have been causing some serious damage.
RÚV

Flying Debris Severs Power Line in Unalakleet Due to High, Gusting Winds
Yesterday, damaging high wind in Unalakleet sent debris flying into high voltage power lines, knocking out electricity for half of the village. After roughly nine hours, electricity was restored to…
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

Lightning gouged channels into Scottish mountain
The suspected lightning strike in the Highlands also dislodged boulders the size of washing machines.
Corrour, Scotland, United Kingdom
BBC News

Generation of B.C. salmon likely wiped out by landslide
Homalco First Nation to push for special hatchery permits
Southgate River, British Columbia
Campbell River Mirror
Quinn Bender, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Coeur d'Alene eagle numbers low, mirroring lake's kokanee population
Larger-than-normal kokanee in Lake Coeur d’Alene are sending migratory eagles wheeling on to better hunting grounds this winter.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
Spokesman.com

Watch: Skaters glide on mirror-like ice
Scientists measured 16 centimeters of snow in Kilpisjärvi on Thursday, which is far less than the average depth of 39 centimeters for this time of year, according to Siiskonen. Less of the white stuff than usual, creating unusual opportunities for long-distance skating enthusiasts.
Kilpisjärvi, Lapland, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Young whale with broken jaw washed up on Belgian beach
A dead minke whale with a broken jaw washed up on a Belgian beach on Friday.
Bredene, Flanders, Belgium
The Brussels Times

Researchers think they spotted new whale species off Mexico
Scientists are waiting for water samples analysis that could hold skin cells for possible DNA testing. . Read more at straitstimes.com.
San Benito Islands
The Straits Times

COVID-19: Outbreak declared at Fraser Valley mink farm
Minks have been discovered to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. A coronavirus outbreak has been declared at a Fraser Valley mink farm after eight people at the site tested positive for COVID-19.
Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Ketchikan evacuees can return home with potential for dam failure subsiding, officials say
Ketchikan officials say there’s “currently no danger of dam failure” but noted that a flood advisory is in place through Sunday.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Disruption after thundersnow hits Scotland
Hundreds of residents reported hearing explosions in the early hours of Friday caused by the weather phenomenon. After receiving a number of calls, Police Scotland took to Twitter to reassure residents that there was no need to be alarmed.
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Vermilion flycatcher - A big red surprise
Late on the afternoon of Nov. 18, Kathy Marche, birding in Stephenville, came across a very colorful bird unfamiliar to her. She took photos but had to wait until she got home to look up the identification.
Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The Telegram

Landslides and flooding after a record-breaking storm
In December of 2020 an atmospheric river brought heavy rains on top of a deep snowpack.
Haines, Alaska, United States

Record-breaking rainfall leaves muddy mess across Southeast Alaska
High winds, flooding and landslides caused moderate to severe damage in communities across Southeast Alaska Wednesday, as an atmospheric river stalled over the region and brought record-breaking rain.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
KTOO

6 reported missing in Haines after record rainfall causes flooding, landslides across Southeast Alaska
Nearly 12 inches of rain fell on the town of Pelican in 48 hours, and all-time records were set in Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Petersburg and Ketchikan. The City of Haines is sending alerts about the immediate danger of landslides.
Haines, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Moscow Sees Warmest Fall on Record
The average temperature for September, October and November was 3.2 degrees C, which is 4.4 C above normal.
Moscow, Moscow, Russia
The Moscow Times

Powerful storm with howling winds knocks out power to more than 100,000 in Maine
A potent storm system hit Maine on Monday with heavy rain and wind gusts close to 60 mph that caused more than 100,000 power outages. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses across the state lost power Monday night as the wind brought branches down on power lines. There were multiple reports of trees falling into roads in Lisbon, Durham, Bath, Woolwich and Bar Harbor, among other places.
Lewiston, Maine, United States
Press Herald

Fire in the North: The 2020 Siberian Fire Season
Burned area data show that there was an unusual amount of fire activity in the 2020 fire season in northern Siberia (north of 65 degrees). This fire activity was associated with severe summer drought that led to extreme fire behavior and long-duration fires.
International Association of Wildland Fire

Dead reindeer used to warn against reindeer danger
Some try to be creative to avoid reindeer driveways. But this is not something the Norwegian Public Roads Administration wants.
NRK

Warm, wet February linked to rise in ocean temperatures
At Unalaska's Tom Madsen Airport, temperatures haven't dropped below freezing yet this month. And in Cold Bay, the average temperature is running more than 8 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, making this the second warmest start to February since World War II.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Bristol Bay Times
Alaska Media, LLC., Steve Keller designer and application developer

Halland braces for more rain as rivers overflow
Halland county in southwestern Sweden is battling heavy flooding along the banks of the Nissan and Lagan rivers, with more rain in the forecast.
Halmstad, Halland, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Sandstorm grounds Finnish tourists in Canary Islands
A sandstorm sweeping in from the Sahara stranded hundreds of tourists enjoying a winter break in the Canary Islands.
Canary Islands, Spain
Yle Uutiset

Orca Completes 8,000 km Swim from Iceland to Lebanon
A male orca whale belonging to an Icelandic pod was sighted around Beirut, Lebanon, on February 19 and 20. Per a press release issued by Orca Guardians of Iceland, this is a journey of just over 8,000 kilometres (4,970 miles) and is the longest known one-way distance travelled by any ‘killer whale’ to date. The …
Beirut, Lebanon

Spring has sprung in Stockholm, weather service says
It's only late February but already spring has sprung in Stockholm, according to the definition by Sweden's national weather service.
Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Thawing causing houses to slide sideways
Staircases are separating from building and utility poles leaning.
Noatak, Alaska, United States
Jeffrey Luther, John Warren, Chris Dankmeyer, Oxcenia O'Domin, Max Neale, Christopher Dillon, PE, John Monville, Abby Nelson

Sink Hole in Road Impacting Home Foundation
The ground under the new road is developing a sink hole and affecting the foundation of the adjacent house.
Noatak, Alaska, United States
Jeffrey Luther, Nellie Wesley, Paul Walton, Mike Brubaker, John Warren, Chris Dankmeyer, John Monville, David Beveridge

Heavy snow and thick ice could mean trouble for Aklavik's spring melt, says local
Spring is still months away in the Northwest Territories, but people are already looking ahead at the spring breakup season. In Aklavik, some see signs that could point to heavy flooding, a lot of snowfall, very high snow piles all over town and thick ice.
Aklavik, Northwest Territories, Canada

It Takes A Lot Of Help To Plow The Longest Ice Road Ever
The ice road on the frozen Kuskokwim River has been plowed to its longest length ever: 355 miles. That’s longer than most traditional highways in the state.
Sleetmute, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Colder weather brings Bering Sea ice extent and thickness to near normal, benefiting hunters
Even if a storm does hit Western Alaska, thicker sea ice will always be more resistant than last year’s ice was at this time, a climatologist says.
Nome, Alaska, United States

B.C. First Nations village evacuated after blue-green algae found in water source
About 60 people from the Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nation have been evacuated to Alert Bay after blue-green algae was found in their well water.
Kingcome Village, British Columbia, Canada

Mild winter wakes Korkeasaari bears from hibernation
The brown bears hibernated for only two months due to the warm winter conditions, according to zoo officials.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle Uutiset

Storm Dennis: Fire service received over 1,000 calls
Whole swathes of land throughout South Wales were – and still remain – underwater. And firefighters worked around the clock to ensure those in need were rescued.
Crickhowell, Powys, Wales, United Kingdom
South Wales Argus

Turku's cherry blossoms bloom out of season in mid-winter
The cherry blossoms along the Aura riverbank are a huge draw for tourists and photo enthusiasts every year around mid-May. The city's head gardener said he was amazed by the sight of the flowers budding this time of year.
Turku, Southwest Finland, Finland

The day the world’s most polluted city was in Siberia
The locals call it Black Sky, a combination of weather conditions and the exhaust from dozens of factories in this industrial city on the Yenisei river.
Krasnoyarsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia
Siberia Times

Flood warnings in southern and western Sweden
High water levels and flooding are being reported from several parts of southern Sweden Monday, and the met office SMHI has issued class 2 flood warnings ...
Borås, Västra Götaland, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Vasaloppet ski race organisers scramble to put extra snow on the course
Sweden's most famous ski race gets underway next week.This weekend's wind and rain has led to puddles on the 90 kilometre-long course, and volunteers are working feverishly before thousands of skiers descend on the course.
Sälen, Dalarna, Sweden

Dead Sea Cucumbers (Cucumaria miniata) on Beach
Strong winds might have blown sea cucumbers (*Cucumaria miniata*) up on to the beach, exposing them to the cold at low tide.
Anchor Point, Alaska, United States
Mandy Lindeberg, Richard L Thoman Jr, Erica Lujan

Spring migration early this year
Flocks of whooper swans have been grazing in a field in southwestern Finland, although these swans don't typically return to Finland until March or April, according to Finland’s environment administration.
Finland

Extreme Weather Causes Travel Disruptions, Power Outages, and Property Damage
The predicted severe winds hit the country this morning, causing travel disruptions, property damage and disruptions to capital area services. Parts of the south coast are still without power and some without hot water.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland

Mysterious mechanical 'groaning’ noise haunts southwest Anchorage
Snowplows? The railroad? “Trumpets in the sky? The noise has been heard on and off for years, but no one appears to have a solid explanation.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Otters spotted in southern Alberta city for first time in about a century
Some welcome new visitors have recently appeared in a southeastern Alberta park — otters.
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada

Kuskokwim River Too Rough For Travelers In Upper Kuskokwim Area
The river is so rough in the Upper Kuskokwim area that it is impassable to vehicle and snow machine traffic. Big boulders of snow-covered ice are scattered across the river caused by high water and a late freeze up.
Napaimute, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Snowmachiner dies in avalanche near Cooper Lake
A snowmachiner was killed Monday afternoon in an avalanche on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska State Troopers reported late Monday night.
Cooper Landing, Alaska, United States
KTUU

Siberia's Mild Winter Wakes Badger Cubs From Hibernation
Badgers usually remain fast asleep until the end of February but, Siberia's mild winter caused a shorter hibernation period. On Monday, the temperature rose to 2 degrees Celsius. It was minus 24 C on the same day last year.
Irkutsk, Irkutsk, Russia
The Moscow Times

Low air pressure paralyzes air traffic in North Norway - this is historic and extreme
Widerøe has had several flight cancellations this morning. This is because the air pressure in parts of Northern Norway are too low for planes to take off. In modern times, Widerøe has never had to ground planes due to low pressure.
Bodø, Nordland, Norway
NRK
Lise Forfang Hagen, Gisle Forland, Kirsti Kringstad, Emil H. Indsetviken

Difficult grazing conditions for reindeer
In Karasjok and Kautokeino, there has been greater snowfall than usual on winter pastures. The difficulty in digging down to pasture is effecting reindeer in large parts of Troms and Finnmark.
Ivgobahta, Troms, Norway
Troms og Finnmark

Extreme weather 'Elsa' hit the coast of Norway
The extreme weather "Elsa" left its mark along the Norwegian coast on Monday night until Tuesday. In many places the water has gone far above the ordinary flood level and many cellars have been filled with water.
Måløy, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
Geir Bjarte Hjetland, Ingrid Aarekol, Benedikte Grov, Roy Raasholm Fauske, Olaug Bjørneset, Julianne Bråten Mossing

Death toll rises to at least 41 after twin avalanches in Turkey
At least 41 people have been killed and 84 injured after two avalanches hit the mountainside near Turkey's eastern border with Iran in 24 hours, the Turkish Natural Disaster and Crisis Directorate (AFAD) said Thursday.
Van, Van, Turkey
CNN

After avalanche scare, Anchorage’s Kincaid Park sand dunes off-limits to Junior Nordic skiers
No one was hurt when a slab avalanche buried one child and partially buried two others.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Salmon Farm Rips Open in Dýrafjörður
A tear was discovered in one of Arctic Fish’s open-sea fish farms in Dýrafjörður in the Westfjords. A notice on the company’s website says the tear was discovered during routine inspection and is located at a depth of about 20 metres (65 feet).
Bolungarvík, Westfjords, Iceland

Receding sea ice off northern Japan proves blessing and potential curse for seals
Climate change has allowed spotted seals to find new hunting grounds, but the marine mammals ultimately depend on sea ice to survive.
Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan

Worried for the raspberries, they have started to sprout
The raspberries believes spring has begun now. They have started to bloom and have no idea that the cold temperatures may come in an instant.
Drøbak, Akershus, Norway
Silje-Lisette Tennøy, Miriam Alsvik, Iselin Øverbø

Snake encounter in January
The earliest I have ever seen the cormorant snake has been around the first week of April. I could never imagine meeting snakes in January.
Svartevatnet, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
Ina Christin Løvseth, Ola Weel Skram, RoyRaasholm Fauske

Much Snow
It is so much snow, more than usual this time of the year.

Two North Shore ski mountains, Buntzen Lake closed because of rain
A couple of North Shore ski hills and Buntzen Lake in Anmore were closed Friday because of heavy rainfall, as Metro Vancouver prepared for another deluge Friday night.
Anmore, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Central Tapanuli declares state of emergency after seven die in flood, landslides
English News and Press Release on Indonesia about Flash Flood, Flood and more; published on 30 Jan 2020 by Jakarta Post
Tapanuli Tengah, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
Jakarta Post

Overflow Flood Waters Threaten House and Road System
A hole cut in the ice has produced a lot of overflow, and flooding is now threatening homes and a state-managed road.
Newhalen, Alaska
Lexi Trainer, Sonny Lamont, Melany Eakin, Edward "Ted" Smith, Erica Lujan, Savannah Anelon

A total of 23 precipitation records have been broken - on Vega it has rained almost every single day
The island of Vega in Helgeland, which has a measurement station from 1999, has not had as much rain in 15 years. They had 27 rainy days in January.
Vega, Nordland, Norway

600 fishermen taken off floating ice in the Sea of Okhotsk
Major rescue operation on the island of Sakhalin went on for two days. Some of the fishermen made their way back to safety on ice floes, using ice diggers as oars.
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin, Russia
Siberia Times

Officials shot three bears, days apart, all eating trash on the same street in Kodiak
Temperatures might be down in Kodiak, but that doesn’t mean bear problems are down too. Fish & Game has tracked down and shot three problem bears in town over the last week, and they’re reminding residents — not all bears hibernate in the winter.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

After Heavy Rain, Landslides Shut Down Roads on Portland’s Edges
It’s been a relentlessly rainy January, with no sign of slowing down. And all the precipitation has put Portland-area roads at risk of being buried by landslides.
Portland, Oregon, United States
Willamette Week

'Brilliant blues' of mountain lakes change as glaciers shrink
Shimmering mountain lakes will start to show new colours in coming years, new research suggests.
Zigadenus Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Spring flowers in southwest Finland archipelago
According to Simo Laine, head horticulturalist at botanical garden in Turku, southwest Finland, it could well be the first time that the blooms have made an appearance in the country as early as January.
Turku, Southwest Finland, Finland

SR4 closure may extend for weeks or months
SKAMOKAWA — The highway between Naselle and Longview will remain closed “for an indeterminate amount of time” following a large landslide Jan. 23, state highway officials said Jan. 28.
Skamokawa, Washington, United States
Chinook Observer

At the same time - in Finnmark and in Western Norway: 50 degree difference
There is almost 50 degrees in temperature difference between Kautokeino in Finnmark and Tafjord in Møre og Romsdal. And in Stryn they released the cows this weekend!
Norway

Winter weather, ferry cancellations and road closures disrupt travel in and out of Upper Lynn Canal communities
As of Sunday nearly 60 inches of snow fell in Haines in the last 8 days. That total was higher in some parts of town and more snow is in the forecast.
Haines, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

100 places in Norway are set to set temperature records
The birds are singing, the flowers are germinating and the snow is not visible. January is record-breaking in several places in the country and Oslo sets a new snow-free record.
Oslo, Norway
Tiril Mettesdatter Solvang, Kirsti Haga Honningsøy

Kenya suffers worst locust infestation in 70 years as millions of insects swarm farmland
UN urges immediate action as east African nations already experiencing devastating hunger see large areas of crops destroyed.
Kenya
the Guardian

Sperm whale carcass will decompose on Lanai beach
Federal and state officials are monitoring a sperm whale carcass in the nearshore waters of Lanai.
Lāna‘i City, Hawaii, United States
Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Several rainfall records have already been broken - now a warning has been sent out on Helgeland
Several rainfall records in Nordland have already been struck. Now a warning has been sent out for even more of the same. - We are in the top tier of what we have measured by rainfall over the last 100 years, says meteorologist Bente Wahl.
Bodø, Nordland, Norway

Icing in the high mountains produces desperate reindeer
Icy conditions in the mountains have caused wild reindeer to descend towards the hut areas to find food. In several places ski areas are now closed to prevent the reindeer from being disturbed.
Hovden, Aust-Agder, Norway

Chronic wasting disease found in Marquette County deer
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that a wild deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Marquette County.
Endeavor, Wisconsin, United States

Worried about the bees this year
During the first weeks of the year, the beekeeper from Tønsberg has registered that several bees have flowed out of the cube. It really shouldn't happen until March.
[Read in
Revetal, Vestfold, Norway
Linn Udnes, Hege Therese Holtung, Magnus Skatvedt Iversen

The tick season is underway - The earliest I've heard of
From April to November, most dog owners are used to checking their dogs for small crawling ticks that have become stuck in the fur of their pets.
Moss, Østfold, Norway

Weathering 'Storm of the Century'
Conception Bay South was dealt a hard hand by what some have dubbed the ‘storm of the century.’ At least two local churches, Topsail United and All Saints in Foxtrap saw siding ripped off their steeples by the 120 kph winds.The most extensive damage was along the coastline, with both CBS mayor Terry French and Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club Commodore Larry LeDrew estimating millions of dollars worth of damage.
Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The Shoreline News

About a fourth of Selawik homes currently have frozen pipe and it’s a chronic problem
Mayor Clyde Ramoth says frozen pipes are a chronic problem due to issues with the initial installation of the above-ground water system. The warming climate isn’t making things any easier.
Selawik, Alaska, United States
KOTZ Radio 720 AM

Brazilian city experiences deadly flooding after 32 inches of rain falls in just 27 days
Dozens have perished in Brazil's sixth-largest city after a record-breaking deluge.
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Washington Post

Numerous Dead Mottled Sea Stars (Evasterias troschelii)
Roughly 60 dead starfish were scattered on a stretch of beach about 1/4-mile long, showing potential signs of sea star wasting disease.
Fort Wrangel, Alaska, United States

Cold snap is expected to ease up around Anchorage — but only for a couple days.
January has so far been colder than average and the trend is expected to continue, breaking the 22-month trend of consecutively warmer-than-normal monthly temperatures.

Young Nuttall Cockles (Clinocardium nuttallii) Exposed on Beach
Luck was against these young cockles, which were likely washed up on to the beach during a storm and did not survive the cold air temperatures during low tide.
Petersburg, Alaska, United States

Hundreds of thousands of fish dead in NSW as bushfire ash washed into river
Ecologist fears the Macleay River may take decades to recover, with heavy rains likely to affect other waterways
Macleay River, New South Wales, Australia
the Guardian

Scientists: Winter is shrinking at both ends
It's January 15th and the first signs of spring are here. The biologist found a snail in the garden, and in the flower box of the meteorologist sprout and grow it. Both are concerned.
Røa, Oslo, Norway
NRK, Norsk Rikskringkasting
Ida Theresa Myklebost, Dagny Elisabeth Ulland

-48.5 C in Chilcotin breaks 15-year-old record for coldest Jan. 14
Coldest day of the winter season so far sees highs of -5 C in Metro Vancouver and a frigid morning temperature of -48.5 C in the Chilcotin region.
Chilcotin Road Area, British Columbia, Canada

New York City Reaches 70 Degrees Farenheit in January
US Senator Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reports her observation of air temperatures reaching 70 degrees Farenheit (21 degrees Celsius) in January of 2020.
New York City, New York, United States
Twitter

Rare Arctic seal pup named after a flower rescued from Storm Brendan
Ringed seal Cloudberry was rescued from Quilty by Seal Rescue Ireland after being seen in Kerry.
Burren, Mayo, Ireland
Metro

Stranded Fork-tailed Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma furcata)
Bella Bella 1, British Columbia, Canada
Twitter

The devastating cost of bushfires on Kangaroo Island's rare wildlife
Tens of thousands of livestock and hundreds of unique bee hives have been destroyed on South Australia's Kangaroo Island along with thousands of koalas and kangaroos.
Cape Jervis, South Australia, Australia
Mail Online

Floods hit Kuching and Sebuyau, landslide reported in Song district
Heavy rain and floods are reported in Kuching and Sebuyau districts while a landslide caused by torrential rain happened in the Song district on Saturday (Jan 11).
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
The Star Online

Landslide threat increasing as powerful storm expected by weekend
DES MOINES, Wash. - Drier weather on Wednesday helped to lessen the landslide threat across Western Washington, but another system will be moving in later in the week, increasing the threat by Friday.
Des Moines, Washington, United States
Q13 FOX News

Devastating floods, and also landslides and sinkholes
Heavy rainfalls over the past few months have done more than unleash devastating floods. A landslide caused by heavy rain left three caravan holiday homes teetering on the brink of a cliff at Trimingham, near Cromer on the Norfolk coast, on Monday (News, January 8).And over the past six months th
Cromer, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom
The Times

Unusually Warm in Northern Norway
Extremely warm early January weather in northern Norway.
Troms, Norway
Twitter

Mild winter puts squeeze on Saimaa ringed seal
Sipilä said that during his 40 years working for state-owned parks and wildlife management agency Metsähallitus, he has never seen such poor ice conditions in January.
Gulf of Finland

Pack of wolves spotted in Colorado
The agency said an eyewitness account, video and scavenged elk ''strongly suggests a pack of gray wolves may now be residing in Colorado.''
Moffat County, Colorado, USA
Coloradoan

Unusually warm in Northern Norway
You wouldn't think it was early January.
Birtavarre værstasjon
Meterologene, Meterologisk Institutt (The Norwegian Meteroligical Institute)

Potentially longest cold snap in more than a decade for Anchorage
For the last four nights, temperatures dropped below zero in Anchorage, which isn't uncommon this time of year, but turns out, hasn't been very common in recent history.

Shishaldin Volcano eruption raises alert level to red
Shishaldin Volcano is spewing ash up to 27,000 feet in sky, leading to flight cancelations.
Shishaldin Volcano
KTUU

Cyanobacteria in a deep well contaminates community water source
In 2020, contamination of the community water well by cyanobacteria caused the community to evacuate for 26 days. How the well was contaminated is unknown.
Kingcome Inlet

Dramatic warm-up happening in the Arctic and Nunavut
Temperatures will soar in the North, paticularly in Nunavut, for the next few days thanks to a rapidly retreating polar vortex combined with an influx of warm Pacific air.
Kugaaruk, Nunavut, Canada

Winter Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Robins are migratory birds, but may stay in one place if the temperature is warm and/or there is food available.

Indonesia flooding, landslides kill more than 50
Torrential rains lashed the capital on the eve of the New Year.
Jakarta, Indonesia
Reuters

Heavy rain, snow increase threat of mudslides in Western Washington
All the rain and snow falling in Western Washington bumps up the risk for mudslides and avalanches.
Des Moines, Washington, United States
The Columbian

Seven miles of ice stopper loosened and damaged several houses
400 residents lost the road connection and several houses were evacuated when a seven-mile-long ice stopper came loose, carrying large masses of ice and water. Today, the municipality is on inspection to look at the damage.
Beiarn River, Norway

Aleutian island volcano again sends ash cloud nearly 5 miles high
Shishaldin Volcano also erupted last month, sending ash over the Bering Sea.
Mount Shishaldin, Alaska, United States

Ferries cancelled, flood watch issued as storm wallops B.C. South Coast
The storm pummeling much of B.C. incapacitated part of the ferry system and coated major highway passes and northern areas of the province in a heap of fresh snow.
Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Extreme Flooding
Jakarta, Indonesia

Raining in January
Warm temperatures bring novel rain event in Northern Sweden.
Near Nedre Soppero, Sweden

New heat record again - 19 degrees on Sunndalsøra
A new heat record for January. Sunndalsøra in Nordmøre measured 19 plus degrees in the morning.
Sunndalsøra, Møre og Romsdal, Norway

‘Not ordinary rain’: Worst rainfall in over decade causes massive floods in Jakarta
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency recorded rainfall intensity on New Years Eve at 377 millimeters per day, according to an observation conducted at the Air Force air base in East Jakarta.
Jakarta, Indonesia
The Jakarta Post

Kangaroos (genus Macropus) Flee Bushfires
Mitchell Lyons captured video of a mob of kangaroos travelling at high speed to escape wildfires during the extreme 2019 Australian wildfire event.
New South Wales, Australia

Australia bushfires trap thousands on east coast beaches
Residents fled toward the waterside as winds pushed an emergency-level wildfire towards their homes. The town was shrouded in darkness from the smoke before turning an unnerving shade of bright red.
Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia
The Globe and Mail

Anchorage breaks snow record for New Year’s Day following the warmest Dec. 31 on record
The snowfall came after Anchorage broke the daily record for warmest Dec. 31, with temperatures at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport measuring 46 degrees.

Mulchatna Caribou Hunt Closing On Federal Lands Amid Steep Population Decline
Midnight on Dec. 31 brings the close of 2019 and also the close of the hunting season for Mulchatna Caribou on federal lands. The federal season,
Bethel, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Massive anchovy school in White Rock draws a crowd
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said photographer Marissa Baecker, who was visiting White Rock from Kelowna on Christmas Day. “It wasn’t just a feeding, it was a feast.”
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Anchovies take over White Rock shores
People in White Rock, B.C. are used to seeing fish in their waters but not quite like this.
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Facebook Watch

Holiday cold snap breaks records, may save Northwest Alaska snowmachine races
It’s a dramatic drop from this winter’s balmy start, but this is a normal weather pattern for this time of year.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Minus 65: Interior Alaska sees coldest official temperatures since 2012
An official temperature of minus 65 was recorded 15 miles northeast of Manley Hot Springs, according to the National Weather Service. It is the coldest official temperature in Alaska since
Manley Hot Springs, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Thousands of 'sea pickles' wash up on Monterey Bay beach
Hundreds upon hundreds of specimens known as "sea pickles" washed up on Monterey Bay beaches on Thursday. As explained by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, "Big waves and strong currents are pushing pyrosomes onto local beaches.
Asilomar State Beach, Pacific Grove, California, United States
SFGate

Huge sea temperature anomaly has water six degrees above normal
Ocean temperatures as much as 6 degrees higher than usual are developing off the east coast.
South Pacific Ocean
Stuff

Boisterous bay
A winter storm combined with a 20.7-foot high tide hammered the north shore of Kachemak Bay last Thursday.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Homer News

Mat-Su declares disaster after Willow Creek flooding forces evacuations, closes bridge
Flooding on Willow Creek Saturday night and Sunday has led to seven families being evacuated, with five people taking shelter at the Willow Community Center. The Willow Fire Department, Mat-Su Animal Care and the Mat-Su Water Rescue Team organized to assist those impacted by the flood.
Willow, Alaska, United States

Russia’s warm winter has deprived Moscow of snow, caused plants to bloom and roused bears out of hibernation
Residents are lamenting a December without the constant layer of snow that defines Russian winters, when what little light there is typically reflects off the white covering and brightens the days.
Moscow, Moscow, Russia
Washington Post

Confirmed extinction of the Chinese Paddlefish (Psephurus gladius)
Ivan Jaric Tweeted news of his published paper confirming the extinction of the Chinese Paddlefish (Psephurus gladius)
Yangtze River, China

Record Christmas snow cover in Lapland
Powder on the ground is nearly one meter deep in some parts of Finland's northernmost region.
Inari, Lapland, Finland

More than a dozen homes evacuated due to Willow Creek flooding; Mat-Su officials say bridge could be closed for days
The flooding started when large chunks of ice jammed at Deneki bridge, according to an advisory issued by the National Weather Service.
Willow, Alaska, United States

Soil loss during high rainfall event
The following Tweet is an observation of soil erosion and loss from an agricultural field in rural England during a rainfall event. This was documented on Twitter by Dave Throup, Environment Agency Manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
General overviews of increasing rainfall and soil degradation in the UK are attached.
Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom

100 horses confirmed dead in storm
100 dead horses have been found following the major storm that hit Iceland last week. Some are still missing and the search continues. Some horses are known to remain in danger and vets say that farmers are exhausted.
Skagafjörður, Norðurland vestra, Iceland
RÚV

Buildings Disappears under Snow: "We’ve never before had snow on this scale"
The building, 30 feet to the gable, is buried in snow.
Hofsós, Northwest, Iceland
Electroverse

43,000 litres of milk went to waste in the storm
The severe storm that hit Iceland last week had a major impact on farmers—largely because of power cuts and closed roads. Dairy farmers could not milk their cows during power cuts, and they could not refrigerate the milk that had been collected before the power went off. MS Iceland Dairies received 43,000 fewer litres of milk from farms last week than the week before.
Akureyri, Northeast, Iceland
RÚV

Nearly 20,000 non-native salmon escaped after fire at B.C. fish farm
One wild salmon advocate fears the non-native Atlantic salmon could spread sickness and compete for habitat with struggling wild salmon population.
Queen Charlotte Strait, British Columbia
British Columbia

The snow is low, but the ice is nice
What little snow has fallen in recent weeks has disappeared, leaving inviting surfaces and smooth terrain to explore.

Pod of Orca whales migrate more than 3,000 miles from Iceland to Italy
A pod of Orca whales has made an unprecedented trip from Iceland to more than 3,000 miles away in Genoa, Italy according to a nonprofit organization that tracks them.
Genoa, Liguria, Italy
ABC News

Winter storm cuts off power to over 50,000 homes
Gusty winds and precipitation began pounding Finland from the southwest on Wednesday morning.
Heinola, Päijänne Tavastia, Finland

Seabird Aggregation Over Abundant Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)
Professor John Reynolds shared the following video of his observation of a large aggregation of gulls and other coastal seabirds over a large aggregation of Northern Anchovy at White Rock, BC.
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

Deadliest storm in decades for Icelandic horses
Last week’s storm was the most fatal natural disaster to Iceland’s horses in decades. The situation was worst in Vestur- and Austur Húnavatnssýsla, but horses died elsewhere around the country as well.
Vesturland, Iceland

Erosion Threatening Burial Site
A few years ago, people had to cover up parts of the burial site that were becoming exposed.
Wales, Alaska, United States
Racheal Lee, Max Neale, Erica Lujan, Tom Wolforth, Mike Brubaker, Michael Bruce, Debra Seetook, Vladimir Romanovsky, Louisa Castrodale

Ice balls spotted on island in Finland
Hundreds of ice balls could be seen floating on the beach at Ohtakari island in Finland’s Bay of Bothnia.
Kokkola, Central Ostrobothnia, Finland

Car strikes large boulder on rockfall-prone stretch of Seward Highway
No one was injured when a car hit a 6-foot-by-8-foot rock that fell from cliffs next to the Seward Highway late Wednesday.

Where's the snow? Warm weather to keep most of Eaglecrest closed this weekend
Night-time temperatures have been cold enough for snow but the snow quickly melts by morning.
Juneau Empire

Too icy to ski right now? Not for Junior Nordic
Most of Anchorage is currently covered in ice, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to ski.
YouTube

K300 Season Opener Delayed Again
Poor trail conditions have pushed the Kuskokwim 300 Season Opener race back another week.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

For the first time, scientists have found a dangerous toxin from algae in the Bering Strait and Chukchi Sea
Clams collected in late August had concentrations of saxitoxin considered dangerous for human consumption. The samples were collected in August about 70 miles north of St. Lawrence Island and about 50 miles north of Cape Lisburne, much further north than previously documented.
Cape Lisburne
ArcticToday

Kipnuk the latest village to flood as storms rile the ice-free Bering Sea
This has become the new norm across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Late winters and sudden thawing have turned roads into slush and made rivers and sloughs, which are necessary for travel, less safe because they take longer to freeze.
Kipnuk, Alaska, United States

Mass Worm Stranding
"I saw thousands of these on Drakes Beach on Dec. 6, after the recent storm. What happened?" David Ford
Drakes Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
Bay Nature

Erosion of Burial Site
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States

Stay Off Straight Slough; Four Open Holes Near Bethel
Travelers need to stay off Straight Slough, which flows into the main Kuskokwim River near Bethel.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Thousands Without Power in North Iceland
A storm bringing hurricane force winds and blizzard conditions is raging across the country.
Sauðárkrókur, Northwest, Iceland

2 rock slides close Seward Highway at miles 111 and 106.5
The highway closed after rocks covered the northbound lane at mile 111, near McHugh Creek. A second rock slide was reported near mile 106.5.

In Sweden's Arctic, ice atop snow leaves reindeer starving
Hiila Inga is concerned about the health of his reindeer. His community herds 8000 head each year, between traditional grazing lands in the mountain and the forests further east.
Kiruna, Norrbotten, Sweden
Associated Press

Thousands lose power from the Kenai Peninsula to the Mat-Su as winds ramp up
A wind gust of 113 mph was recorded Monday morning along the Seward Highway near Potter Marsh. Above-freezing temperatures are making side streets icy.

Man who found hiker trapped in Flattop Mountain avalanche said rescue was ‘a miracle’
After being buried, the trapped hiker was able to kick his legs free. A hiker passing by spotted his feet sticking out of the snow.

Alaska Cod Fishery Closes and Industry Braces for Ripple Effect
Gulf of Alaska cod have been in steep decline due to rising ocean temperatures. Now, for the first time ever, federal fisheries managers are shutting down the lucrative fishery because of low stock.
Gulf of Alaska
NPR

Flares used to scare away 63 polar bears besieging a remote Russian village
Amazing footage shows the bears just 150 metres from the nearest house as shooting is criticised - but does little to deter predators.
Siberia Times

Victoria Falls dries to a trickle after worst drought in a century
One of southern Africa’s biggest tourist attractions has seen an unprecedented decline this dry season, fuelling climate change fears
Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
The Guardian

BC Hydro reservoirs see record low rain across Vancouver Island
An exceptionally dry November means that water levels are low in the hydro electric watersheds on Vancouver Island. The four reservoirs on the Island, located in Jordan River, Ash River, Puntledge River and Campbell River provide a third of Vancouver Island’s power supply.
Puntledge River, Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria News

Storms worsened during lifetime
*Dr. Brian Starzomski, Director & McTaggart Cowan Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria, shared an observation by his father that coastal storms have worsened during his lifetime*
Ben Eoin, Nova Scotia, Canada

Dozens of polar bears stranded outside Russian Arctic village because of melting ice
Nearly 60 polar bears have been stranded on the Arctic coast near a remote village in Russia's Far East after warm winter weather hampered their hunting routine.
The Telegraph

December Heat Record Broken
December heat records were broken or equalled by at least 53 remote weather-monitoring stations and three manned stations in the first days of the month. The cause was a mass of warm air that moved across the country.
Iceland

Municipal calls to boil drinking water more than double this year
The number of boil order advisories issued by Swedish municipalities have more than double this year compared to 2018, Swedish Radio reports.
Sweden

Ice Fog (Low Visibility) = Cancelled Flights
Open water over the ocean creates conditions that lead to hoar frost and rime ice. These conditions impact travel and are expected to become more common as ice forms later in Norton Sound.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Victoria broke its record for driest November in more than 25 years
November is typically the wettest and stormiest month of the year here on Vancouver Island, but not this year. If it seemed drier than usual, you would be right.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Island

‘Februburied’: Record snowfall stacks up in Sierra Nevada at Truckee Tahoe resorts
The snow began falling in early February and hardly let up until the last day of the month, setting records at local ski resorts and causing havoc across the
Truckee, California, United States
Sierra Sun

Dry Creek at Harrison Island
Harrison Island, Haida Gwaii

Southern Hemisphere Hoodwinker Sunfish Washes Up in California
Rare hoodwinker sunfish, never before seen in Northern Hemisphere, washes up at Coal Oil Point Reserve
Isla Vista, California, United States
The UCSB Current

Train on Trans-Siberian railway goes through wall of fire from grass and forest inferno
Wildfires ablaze early in year due to lack of snow, posing threat to railway in Russian Far East.
Vladivostok, Primorskiy, Russia

Squaw sets February snowfall record
The latest storm to hit the Truckee-Tahoe area dropped another 30 inches of snow at Squaw Valley’s upper mountain, breaking the record at the resort for most snowfall in February. This month, Squaw Valley has been hit with 205 inches of snow at its upper mountain and more is currently coming down. The previous record…
Squaw Valley, California, United States
Sierra Sun

Capelin Stocks In Poor Shape
As a result, the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI) will not permit fishing of the species this coming season. Capelin is the second most important export species of fish in Iceland after cod.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland

Eagle preys on duck on Saanich Peninsula
‘I’ve never seen that before in my life’
North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria News

Arctic Char Population Rapidly Declining
The stock of arctic char in Elliðavatn lake has almost collapsed. Similar developments are taking place in Norway as well. Hilmar Malmquist, head of the freshwater division at the Marine Research Institute, believe that climate change is the main explanation.
Kopavogur, Capital Region, Iceland

Storm Rages Across Iceland
Storms affecting most of the country, particularly Southeast and East Iceland, have damaged property and put travellers in danger. According to the Icelandic Met Office, storm conditions are expected to continue into the evening. Residents and tourists alike are advised against travelling in the affected areas. Search and rescue called out Search and rescue teams […]
Hornafjörður, Austurland, Iceland

White-tailed eagles congregate in Vaasa as habitats shrink
The WWF and locals report sightings of 10-15 eagles at a time in western Finland.
Vaasa, Ostrobothnia, Finland

30 year temperature record broken
Warm temperatures break 30 year record.
Svelgen, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
NRK Sogn- og Fjordane

Walls of ice bulldoze ashore from Lake Erie
Extreme winds from a huge weekend storm over the Great Lakes pushed huge walls of ice on the shores of Lake Erie.
Hoover Beach, New York, United States
CNN

Snake has woken early from winter hibernation
Snake wakens early from winter sleep. He is a sure spring sign, but is not happy in February. If you see a viper at this time of year, then there may be several snakes in the vicinity.
Berle, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
NRK Sogn- og Fjordane

Roundheaded Wood Borer

That ice was 3300 years old. And now it melts
Thousands of years old ice disappears all over Norway. Dag Inge Bakke (42) is among those struggling to save the frozen archive of the past.
Galdhøpiggen, Oppland, Norway
NRK Norsk Rikskringkasting

Two Banff National Park wolf packs likely decimated by trapping
‘There’s a really high likelihood that the pack is just gone altogether’
Banff National Park
The Narwhal

Temperatures in Northern Finland to soar 40 degrees in one day
There are no records to indicate the last time there was such a radical temperature change in a 24-hour period.
Muonio, Lapland, Finland

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) Entering Breeding Grounds Early
Swans have arrived early in Southeast Alaska this year, with most lakes still frozen and no green grass anywhere. Most lakes are frozen; the swan is sticking to a small patch of water surrounded by ice.
Metlakatla, Alaska, United States

Residents of Smog-Hit Russian Town Sue Over Health Complications
Locals blamed a mining company for attempting to hide what they called an 'ecological tragedy.'
Sibay, Bashkortostan, Russia
The Moscow Times

Lots of Female King Crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus)
Large number of Red King Crabs (*Paralithodes camtschaticus*) found on the beach during an extreme low tide. According to fisheries researchers, crabs move to shallow water to hatch and release eggs.

Early Reports of Black and Brown Bear
Brown bear spotted on Kupreanof Island for the first time.
Kake, Alaska, United States

Spring flowers bloom very early
The winter holiday offers 15 degrees (C) of heat and spring flowers.
Lavik, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Company) Sogn og Fjordane

Weather and wildlife changes
Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana

One Small Colorado Town Ran Out Of Water. How Did It Happen?
One morning in mid-February, David Herz went to turn on the faucet in his farmhouse outside the small western Colorado town of Paonia, and nothing came…
Paonia, Colorado, United States
KUNC

Ash turns Siberia snow black triggering acute pollution concerns from locals
Blame for pollution is focused on failure of coal plant to filter emissions.
Прокопьевский, Кемеровская область, Russia

Unusual Flooding in February
A warm winter storm leads to sea ice loss and flooding of homes in Western Alaska. "Damage to the foundation of the homes is all I think happened, besides wet clothing and a few things on the floor."
Kotlik, Alaska, United States

Snow closes Haleakala National Park and creates social media buzz
Snow on Haleakala?
Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Coastal Flood Advisory
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States
Olivia Lee, Richard L Thoman Jr, John Henry

Leads in Ice After Warm Storm
Leads appeared following a warm storm, in areas with usually stable, shorefast ice. The leads separate many crabbers from their pots, and are illustrative of how Norton Sound's recent erratic sea ice patterns are altering subsistence opportunities and patterns.
Nome, Alaska, United States

A 'invasion’ of polar bears is terrorizing an island town in Russia
Thinning sea ice has driven more than 50 polar bears ashore on an Arctic archipelago in northern Russia, causing chaos for the local population.
Rogachëvo, Arkhangelskaya, Russia

‘Historic’ storm hurls huge waves and 191 mph winds at Hawaii. Rare snow hits Maui.
Snow may have fallen at the lowest elevation ever observed in the state.
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Snow on Haleakala
Launiupoko, Hawaii, United States

Alaska biologist report increased sighting of mink in Kodiak
KODIAK, Alaska (AP) — Sightings of mink are increasing around Kodiak, Alaska wildlife biologists said of the animal — a species not native to the area. The first sighting was several years ago, the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported . Alaska Department of Fish and Game wildlife biologist John Crye said the sightings began after he got a call from an individual who was interested in raising and farming the animals.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
AP NEWS

Extreme rain reactivates waterfall
Deadly floods in northern Chile left homes and roads destroyed.
Atacama Desert, Chile

Yukon ice cave definitely changing geologist says
The spectacular natural formation near Haines Junction has become a big draw for visitors.
Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada

Swordfish becoming much more common in Vesterålen
n 52 years, 36 observations of the species have been recorded in Norway. This one included.
Sortland, Nordland, Norway

Botulism cases reported in Nome
Public health officials confirmed that four Nome residents had been hospitalized in early January with preliminary results pointing to poising from foodborne type E botulism from an aged beluga flipper.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

We get warmer and warmer later in the year
In Etne in Hordaland, 30.4 degrees of heat were measured at 15 today. Never has it been so hot so late in the year in Norway.
Etne, Hordaland, Norway
Oddleif Løset, Birger Kolsrud Jåsund and Geir Bjarte Hjetland

Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) With Bad Odor and Taste
The smelt, caught through the ice in late January, may have caused a person who ate some to get sick. Local, tribal and state officials worked together to collect and analyze the fish.
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States
Gay Sheffield, Bob Gerlach, Percy Nayokpuk, Jayde Ferguson, Anahma Shannon, Louisa Castrodale, Racheal Lee, Tim Thomas, Sharon Nayokpuk, David Verbrugge, Mike Brubaker

72 dead baby sharks removed from dead pregnant shark during necropsy at Coles Bay
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the University of Victoria’s Juanes Laboratory think the shark came into shallow water to give birth and potentially had complications, as there are no signs of trauma.
Coles Bay, Saanich, BC

Icebergs and Open Sea
Very strong south winds took out all the sea ice and created an ice pile in front of the village.
Shishmaref, Alaska, United States
Andrew Kakoona, Olivia Lee, Sharon Nayokpuk

Eagle Sighting
Eagle sighting during winter in Western Alaska.
Kongiganak, Alaska, United States

Pregnant shark washes up on Vancouver Island shoreline
The carcass of a nearly four-metre-long bluntnose sixgill shark was found on Coles Bay Tuesday.
North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Island

Pregnant Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus) in Coles Bay
A pregnant bluntnose sixgill shark found on the banks of Coles Bay may have come in to shallow water to give birth and died from complications.
Cole Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Heavy snowfall stalls inter-city trains until Thursday
The state rail company VR has said that it will substitute buses on some of the cancelled rail trips.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland

Yukon ice conditions unusual this year, says snowmobile association
'This year especially there's been lots of reports of thin ice and open water in places where there hasn't been in previous years,' said James Connor of the Klondike Snowmobile Association.
Drury Lake, Yukon

Australians could find crocodiles, snakes in ‘unexpected places’ after floods, officials warn
Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Washington Post

Black bear wandering around Kincaid Park in the middle of winter? Here’s why.
If high temperatures melt snow and that leads to a bear’s den getting flooded, that’s another reason the bear might head outside. It’ll likely try to find another den, Farley said.
Kinkaid Park

Extended Cold Snap
The capital area, along with most of Iceland, has experienced constant below-freezing temperatures for a couple of weeks now.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland

Record cold damages grape buds in Essex County
Two record cold nights have damaged grape buds in Essex County with Merlot, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc particularly at risk.
Essex County, Ontario
Windsor Star

More snow to hit Sweden after temperatures drop to new record cold
The weather station in Nikkaluokta recorded a frigid -39.5C, setting the record for the lowest temperature of the winter.
Nikkaluokta, Norrbotten, Sweden
thelocal.se

Chilean scientists discover mass die-off of krill in Antarctica
The scientific literature indicates that, in general, crustacean wash ashore due to hypoxia (low oxygen) or to phenomena such as excess sediment in suspension and changes in water temperature.
Antarctica
Fish Information & Services

Deep freeze hits area
MARQUETTE — In light of the bitterly cold air and wind chills falling far below zero, all Michigan state offices are closed today, and the U.S. Postal Service
Ishpeming, Michigan, United States
miningjournal.net

Reported wolverine sightings are up, says N.W.T. gov
Last week, in the wee hours of the morning, a curious wolverine was caught on camera wandering the hallway to a dormitory at Diavik Diamond Mine.
Northwest Territories

Midwest Freeze Cancels Flights, Even Stops the Mail
Chicago, Illinois, United States
NBC News

Pale Green Waters Spell Danger
When the green water is here, its dangerous to travel straight across the Lagoon to White Mountain. In the past we took the land route, cross on Kitchavik river and on up over land to White Mountain.
Golovin, Alaska, United States

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Spotted Walking with Cubs in Mid-Winter
Weather had been pouring rain and 45-degree temps for several days leading up to the sighting.

Rising sea levels could kill off 500-year-old trees in New Jersey forest
Dark water formed an eddy around Steve Eisenhauer's boots as they sank into the muck at the base of a 90-foot black gum tree so old, its roots were deep in this ground when the Pilgrims landed.
Bear Swamp, Cedarville, New Jersey, United States
Phys.org

Brown Bear Awake in January
Hungry and looking for food, where it was last fall. Very warm 40 degrees and rain. I'm sure it disturbed his hibernation.
Pedro Bay, Alaska, United States

Large Number of Redpolls (Acanthis)
Fox, Alaska, United States

Driver badly hurt when falling rock hits car on Seward Highway
Authorities warned that drivers should use caution in the area due to the potential for additional rockslides.

Across Australia, Yet Another Scorching Summer
Australia’s heat waves, now an annual ordeal, have been expanding into new territory — like Tasmania, where more than 50 wildfires were burning as of Friday.
Australia
New York Times

Another Sand Point fisherman is chomped on by a sea lion
The third such bite in two years prompted a police warning in the Aleutian Islands town.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Rare Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Spotted in Western P.E.I.
A woman who put bird seed out in her yard in St. Chrysostome, in western P.E.I., was thrilled she ended up attracting a rare bird.
Saint Chrysostome, Prince Edward Island, Canada

A coyote attracts attention in Anchorage
A Fish and Game biologist urges people to give the animals space.

Yukon Quest's route shortened this year because of lack of snow
For safety dogs and mushers will be trucked from Braeburn to Carmacks.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

Uncommon: reports of 2 wolves in town of Norman Wells
Officers received four separate calls in 48 hours from Sunday to Monday. The wolves were quite active, quite brazen, coming out in the daylight hours right in residential areas. One resident had a dog encounter with one of the wolves but was not harmed.
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada

Alaska man kills polar bear that strayed from its usual habitat
Jim Hollandsworth of Arctic Village said he encountered the bear in early January. He said the bear had tried to get into his cabin about 32 kilometers from the village.
Arctic Village, Alaska, United States

Extreme wet January displaces thousands and floods farmland in Mercosur member countries
Intense rainfall in northeast Argentina and neighbouring areas in Mercosur members has caused devastating floods, amplifying the economic burdens of Argentina's recession. Over 5,000 people have evacuated the region, and millions of hectares of crops have been sent underwater.
Mercosur member countries
MercoPress

‘A sad day’: two more B.C. mountain caribou herds now locally extinct
The Kootenay populations, a fixture on the landscape for thousands of years, succumbed to industrial disturbances and other human activity in their critical habitat.
Salmo, British Columbia, Canada
The Narwhal

Another bad year for sargassum seaweed forecast for Quintana Roo
Large quantities of sargassum are likely to wash up on the beaches of Mexico’s Caribbean coast in 2019, according to a researcher.
Atlantic Ocean
Mexico News Daily

Four dead, thousands evacuated in north Argentina floods
Heavy rainfall breaks local and regional records, as provincial governments in the Litoral region struggle to
Paso de los Libres, Corrientes Province, Argentina
Buenos Aires Times

State investigates Prudhoe Bay wells after a second North Slope well ‘jacked up’ and leaked oil and gas
The incident appears similar to an oil and gas release in 2017 blamed on thawing permafrost and hot production fluids.
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, United States

Russian military sent to assess giant rockfall blocking Bureya River
Urgent measures underway to evacuate residents of remote villages after flood threat caused by rising water above new ‘dam’.
село Усть-Ургал, Верхнебуреинский район, Хабаровский край, Russia

Freeze already! Hopes sinking for Dawson City ice bridge, despite cold snap
Normal ice build up not occurring. It seems like the ice along the shoreline is not moving into the river.
Dawson City, Yukon, Canada

Wind blew asphalt off road
Wednesday night’s storm in North Iceland brought exceptionally warm air and extreme wind conditions. The small village of Borgarfjörður eystri, in the north of the East Fjords, suffered damage that included asphalt blowing off a paved road surface.
Bakkagerdi, East, Iceland

Sinkholes in parking lot - earthquake aftermath?
It has been a month since the 7.0 earthquake in Anchorage. Are these sinkholes which suddenly appeared related?

Sea lions survive with the help of Kamchatka residents
Sea lions have been pushed to come closer town because of marine pollution and over fishing, and now they are eating the scraps from the fish processing plant.
Петропавловск-Камчатский, Kamchatka, Russia
РЕН ТВ

3 wildfires reported in Fort Liard area
'These fires can then pop back up in the spring when conditions warm up,' says the environment department. A local crew will likely extinguish the fires by Monday.
Fort Liard, Northwest Territories, Canada

Windstorm and Widespread Forest Blowdown
Damage assessment underway due to fallen trees, hanging debris
Whisky Creek, British Columbia
Port Alberni Valley News

Wolves are preying on dogs in Old Crow
Wolves don't typically linger around the community, they're hungry because the caribou are all in Alaska right now. There's also little snow around Old Crow so it may be harder for wolves to hunt moose. About ten dogs have been killed.
Old Crow, Yukon, Canada

East Iceland hit 18 degrees yesterday
Genuine summertime temperatures were recorded in East Iceland yesterday. The warmest place was Dalatangi, which reached 18°C. Not far behind was Bjarnarey on 17.8°C and Eskifjörður recorded 16.6°C.
Dalatangi, Iceland

Possible Alaska Hare (Lepus othus) Tracks
Strange tracks between Pilot Point and Ugashik, found near the river may belong to an Alaska hare (*Lepus othus*)
Pilot Point, Alaska, United States
Wilson Justin, Dave Crowley, Gregory Kingsley

Amid environmental grief, finding hope in a graveyard of yellow cedar
One ecologist wonders, for the yellow cedar forests and the people who care about them, what comes after climate change and environmental loss in Southeast Alaska?
Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska's Energy Desk - Juneau

A jellyfish ‘epidemic’ has Australian scientists wondering if climate change is to be blamed
More than 13,000 stings were recorded in Queensland alone last week, with more than 2,500 people seeking treatment over the weekend, according to rescue organizations.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
BostonGlobe.com

Wandering seals swarm streets of Newfoundland town
Officials are warning residents in Roddickton, Newfoundland to keep their distance from seals that have wandered into town.
According to resident Brendon Fitzpatrick, some have crawled 6 to 8 km away from the ocean.
Roddickton, Newfoundland, Canada
The Weather Network

Thousands of Queensland beachgoers stung by swarm of jellyfish
Surf Life Saving Queensland said a “whopping” 3,595 people were stung by jellyfish, forcing the closure of popular swimming spots across the northern state. Lifeguards said the invasion was caused by unusually strong north-easterly winds.
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
The Independent

Decline of mountain bird populations
Some species have experienced a much greater decline than average. For the snowflake in Scandinavia there is talk of approx. 35 percent, patchwork 25 percent.
Vadsø, Finnmark Fylke, Norway
NRK, Norwegian Broadcasting Company

5 dogs attacked by lynx in Inuvik since late November, says official
Lynx have attacked five dogs in Inuvik since late November, a trend a local wildlife officer calls surprising. The behaviour is unusual since lynx are typically reclusive animals and don't usually come into inhabited areas.
Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada

Delhi air pollution surges to emergency levels
Air quality index at 12 times US government-recommended level and visibility low
Delhi, NCT, India
the Guardian

Residents along Lake Erie spending thousands to protect homes from erosion
An Amherstburg couple has been dealing with shoreline erosion along their waterfront property, and they've invested thousands of dollars in an effort to protect it.
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada

Strong winter storm batters Finland, causing power cuts, traffic delays
Record wind speeds have been clocked in southern maritime districts as a storm dubbed Aapeli causes widespread power cuts and train delays across Finland.
Tampere, Pirkanmaa, Finland

First ever winter sighting of blue-green algae in Gulf of Finland
In the frigid waters of the Gulf of Finland, cyanobacteria has been observed for the first time during the winter months.
Pernå, Uusimaa, Finland

Black bear filmed awake and active in Eagle River
Despite it almost being January, an Eagle River homeowner has captured footage of a black bear awake and active around her house.
Eagle River, Alaska, United States
KTUU

Super-cold thunderstorm sets record with -111°C cloud temperature
According to a new study, -111°C is more than 30°C colder than typical storm clouds and is the coldest measurement of storm cloud temperature on record.
near Nauru
The Weather Network

Northern Extension of Crow Habitat/Range
Northwest crow (*Corvus caurinus*) pair nesting in Anchorage, possibly north of range.
Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage, Southcentral Alaska

Extreme cold warning issued for Behchoko, Whati and Wekweeti
The temperatures are expected to be –40 C, and with extreme wind chills it will feel colder than –50 C.. Environment Canada wrote that if it’s;too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside.
Whati, Wekweeti & Behchoko, NWT

The changing nature of Canada's forest supply as fires, bugs, and climate bite
Mills in the heart of Canada's timber industry have fallen quieter this winter as wildfires and infestations made worse by climate change have made vast tracts of once valuable forest into barren stands of dead trees.
Fraser Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Alaska Highway News

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Wilmington, Delaware

Hurricane force winds recorded near Tofino
Typically these storms remain off the coast of Vancouver Island and we only see the frontal systems move ashore.
Lennard Island Lighthouse, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Heavy rain in store for the shortest day of the year
The temperature in Boston rose to 63 degrees on Friday, breaking the previous record for the day of 62, which was set in 1957.
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
BostonGlobe.com

Heart of White Rock breaks along with pier
Long time White Rock resident and CBC Producer Joan Marshall reflects on what the pier has meant to her and her community.

Late Freeze up in Lower Kuskokwim
Late freeze on the Lower Kuskokwim produced ice conditions unsafe for travel in November.
Oscarville, Alaska, United States

Birders spy 70 species during Christmas Bird Count
The Homer Tribune - Offering news of the people, places and events of Homer and the lower Kenai Peninsula
Homer, Alaska, United States

Distemper Remains Likely Cause of Gulf of Maine Seal Die-Off
Scientists have narrowed down the top likely causes of more than 1,400 seal deaths across New England.
Gloucester, Massachusetts, United States
National Public Radio

As Polar Bear Attacks Increase in Warming Arctic, a Search for Solutions
With sea ice reduced, polar bears in the Arctic are spending more time on land, leading to increased attacks on people. Concerned Inuit communities want to increase hunting quotas, but researchers are testing new technologies they hope will reduce these often deadly confrontations.
Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Yale E360

Drivers Need To Stick To Marked Trails On Lower Kuskokwim River
Drivers need to stick to marked trails on the Lower Kuskokwim River, according to the latest update from Bethel Search and Rescue’s Earl Samuelson. There is a spot in front of Oscarville that has only 9 inches of ice, which Samuelson says is too thin to drive a truck on.
Oscarville, Alaska, United States

She lives where the soil heats up the fastest
People in Longyearbyen have replaced parkas with a shell jacket. They must calculate with rainfall in January and February. Both snowmobiles and dogs must be parked. People are annoyed and disappointed. Others are very concerned.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Tornado touches down near Port Orchard, rips roofs off homes
The tornado touched down and damaged homes on the Kitsap Peninsula. No injuries were discovered in a primary search, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Port Orchard, Washington, United States
The Seattle Times

String of collapses at Del Mar bluffs
Officials press forward with emergency plan following string of collapses at Del Mar bluffs.
Del Mar, California, United States
Los Angeles Times

200 reindeer died on an Arctic Island -- and researchers think climate change is to blame
It rained on December 15th in Svalbard and the resulting ice made it difficult for reindeer to graze. The reindeer likely starved to death after being unable to find food, according to scientists at the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI).
Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
CNN

After 6 days, still no trace of couple who went missing at Big Lake
Hundreds of people have combed the terrain near Big Lake, but there’s still no sign of LaVerne and Van Pettigen.
Big Lake, Alaska, United States

Earthquake effects linger in problems with water wells
From Eagle River to Wasilla, people on private wells are contending with cloudy water -- and worse.
Eagle River, Alaska, United States

Sea lions have enemies. Now someone is shooting them in the head.
Seattle, Washington, United States

Johannesburg: fire in township leaves thousands homeless
Local charities call for donations after blaze wrecks 500 homes in Alexandra
Modderfontein, Gauteng, South Africa

Avalanche prompts road monitoring re-think
“I wouldn’t have been on the road if there had been an avalanche warning in effect,” says a woman who fell victim to an avalanche along Flateyrarvegur in the Westfjords on Friday. The avalanche-prone road is not currently monitored, but Vegagerðin is now looking at improvements.
Flateyri, Westfjords, Iceland

Dawson City ice bridge looking uncertain again this year
Now three years in a row the river is jammed, upriver from Dawson, and that leaves a big open lead of water right in front of town.
Dawson, Yukon, Canada

Record-breaking November weather
The average temperature was higher than normal in all parts of the country and in Reykjavík November was warmer than October.
Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland

Shellfish washed up on P.E.I. beach by 'ripper' of a storm
Thousands of lobsters, clams, quahogs and crabs have washed up on the shore at Robinson's Island, a consequence of no sea ice and big waves.
Robinsons Island, Prince Edward Island, Canada
CBC News

Police urge motorists in snowy south to stay at home
Heavy snow and high winds continued to cause travel chaos for south-eastern parts of Sweden, Wednesday.
Eslöv, Skåne, Sweden

Bad weather blocks cleanup of oil spill in fragile waters near Kodiak
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak flew over the area of an oil spill in Shuyak Strait on Wednesday afternoon, but weather continued to hamper response efforts, the Coast Guard said.
Shuyak Strait, Alaska, United States

Storms pummel Bering Sea islands after ‘crazy’ ice melt-off
Recent storms and warm seas melted a vast stretch of ice in the Bering Sea, leaving some islands surrounded by water when they should be locked in ice.
Diomede, Alaska, United States

Alaska state veterinarian warns of emerging disease
The No. 1 problem is ticks, according to Gerlach. Different tick species have been turing up in recent years in Alaska, apparently because they now are able to live and thrive in the current warmer climate around the circumpolar north.
Alaska, United States
Veterinary Practice News

North Pole surges above freezing in the dead of winter, stunning scientists
A freak warming around the North Pole is sending a blast of Arctic cold over Europe in a sign of wacky weather that may happen more often with man-made global warming, scientists said Monday.
Geodetic North

Climate Change Could Ruin California's Farming Industry
As its vital snowpack shrinks and droughts intensify, Californias giant $50 billion agricultural industry is at a crossroads: how to keep feeding the nation while adapting to the reality of …
California's Central Valley, United States
Courthouse News Service

No more ‘Kings of the Columbia’: Chinook salmon much smaller these days
Like its old-growth trees, the Northwest’s big, old chinook salmon are largely gone, a new study finds, with implications for Puget Sound’s critically endangered southern resident killer whales.
Columbia River, United States
The Seattle Times

Tick-infested moose a 1st for Cree territory in Northern Quebec
A parasite wreaking havoc on moose populations in southern Quebec has been found for the first time in Cree territory, prompting local officials to ask hunters to be on the lookout. Winter ticks thrive in the shorter, warmer winters, which have become more prevalent in recent years.
Nemaska, Quebec, Canada

Snow Falls in Rome, and the Eternal City Takes a Holiday
With schools and parks in the city closed for the day, and hundreds of shops shuttered, many Romans took the unexpected blanket of white in cheerful stride.
Rome, Latium, Italy
The New York Times

Svalbard’s ‘Doomsday’ seed vault marks 10th anniversary with upgrades to protect it from climate change - Arctic Today
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault celebrates its first decade in operation by accepting its millionth sample—and a grant for work to keep those samples safe despite melting permafrost.
Svalbard, Norwegian Archipelago, Arctic Ocean
Arctic Today

North Atlantic right whales may face extinction after no new births recorded
Declining fertility and rising mortality, exacerbated by fishing industry, prompts experts to warn whales could be extinct by 2040
Gulf of Maine

Rome covered in rare snowfall
Roma, Roma, Italy
ABC News

Sea lions wash up dead in northern Chile and Peru
Marine researchers have found more than 100 dead sea lions -- most of them newborns -- washed ashore along a relatively small peninsula in northern Chile over the past three months.

Storm Related Erosion
Without ice to provide protection from storm waves, Port Heiden has lost the old town road.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

In Western Alaska, there's water where there should be ice
Last week, social media across Western Alaska lit up as residents posted photos and videos of open water where, normally, there's ice.
Diomede, Alaska, United States
KTOO

Most King Penguins Could Vanish by the End of the Century
As global temperatures rise, the lives of countless plants and animals are changing in response. That includes king penguins, which a new study predicts will see profound, climate-driven changes in their numbers and the location of their breeding grounds over the next century.
Possession Island, Crozet Archipelago
Earther

Siberian 'Beast from the East' keeps Swedish kids inside
A Siberian cold front has brought Sweden unusually cold temperatures for late February.
Malmo, Skåne, Sweden
Eye on the Arctic

Cold weather means prime pelts for Yukon trappers
Trapping has its good years and bad years. After a few dismal ones the Yukon Trappers Association says the territory is finally seeing some prime pelts this year. It's all thanks to recent cold weather.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC News

Another cold week in Finland
The Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued a warning of very cold temperatures from Monday afternoon to Wednesday morning, February 26 to 28.
Jämsä, Central Finland, Finland
Eye on the Arctic

State veterinarian urges farmers to watch for new diseases in Alaska wildlife, livestock
State Veterinarian Bob Gerlach told a crowd that turned out Saturday for the 46th Annual Delta Farm Forum that diseases that afflict livestock and wildlife are increasingly showing up in Alaska. Listen now
Alaska, United States
KUAC TV 9

Beech booming as climate changes, and that's bad for forests
A group of scientists says beech trees are dominating the woodlands of the northeastern United States as the climate changes, and that could be bad news for the forests.
northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada
Myrtle Beach Online

Sudden stratospheric warming linked to open water in polar ice pack
In the depths of the long night that cloaks the Arctic in frigid darkness for three months each winter, a surprising patch of open water appeared, just to the north of Greenland.
Wandel Sea
Phys.org

Fifty-Three Thousand Salmon Die at West Fjords Fish Farm
Fifty-three thousand salmon died while being transferred out of a damaged marine pen at a fish farming facility in the West Fjords.
Westfjords, Iceland

Shrimp Found While Collecting Badarkies
I have never found live shrimp before in King Cove while subsisting for Chiton's not sure if it is unusual or significant.
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Subsistence hunters are adapting to a warming Alaska with new, high-tech tools
The weather was warm and the ice was late in coming, so Dennis Davis set up a piece of equipment unknown to his Inupiaq forebears: his drone.
TheWorld

Left to Louisiana’s Tides, a Village Fights for Time
For the community of Jean Lafitte, the question is less whether it will succumb to the sea than when — and how much the public should invest in artificially extending its life.
Jean Lafitte, Louisiana, United States
New York Times

Skimpy snowpack drags down winter economy in West & changing climate could make it worse
Winter sports tourism pumps about $11 billion in direct spending into the U.S. economy each year but is at risk of being decimated by climate change, according to the advocacy group Protect Our Win…
Ski Resorts, Colorado, United States
The Denver Post

Lynx attacks leashed dog
A woman living in an apartment complex in Thunder Bay took her dog Molly out to do her business and as she was reaching for the apartment door to go back inside she felt the leash go taut.
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Boundary Waters Blog

Snowy winter is return to “normal” weather conditions
It seems like digging out from snow and some more snow is all Nomeites do this winter.
The Nome Nugget

Arctic temperatures soar 45 degrees above normal, flooded by extremely mild air on all sides
This latest temperature spike is another striking indicator of the Arctic's rapidly changing climate.
Cape Morris Jesup, Greenland

Revolutionary NASA technique captures melting Antarctic ice like never before
The seven-year-long work on the system shows that West Antarctic ice sheets are melting at a rapid rate.
Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf
International Business Times UK

Ocean Ice Is All Gone
Rough seas and moving sea ice.
Sharon Nayokpuk, Hajo Eicken, Richard L Thoman Jr

Flood Sweeps Away Ring Road
Flooding has destroyed a section of Ring Road One in East Iceland.
Hofn, East, Iceland

Canada’s Outdoor Rinks Are Melting. So Is a Way of Life.
Canada loves its ice, and outdoor hockey is part of the nation's cultural identity. So what happens when winters get too warm for backyard rinks?
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
New York Times

Denver Drops 72 Degrees In 40 Hours, Lands In All-Time Top Temp Swings
Sitting at a mile above sea level and in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is known for having an extreme climate. But the most recent temperature swing ranked as one of the biggest ever observed.
Denver, Colorado, United States
CBS Denver

Grand River watershed flooding causes several road closures
Officials say the combination of warm temperatures and rainfall is beginning to trigger significant runoff into the Grand River watershed.
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Global News

Animals have stopped turning white for winter in alarming climate change trend
When there's no snow, there's no need for their winter whites.
The Yukon Territory
Newsweek

Mushroom ascidian (Distaplia occidentalis) Found on Beach
It's about the size of a dinner plate and has a rubbery texture, was told it’s a sea cucumber but I’m not sure.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States
Tom Okey, Tammy Davis, Erica Lujan, Scott Anderson

Climate change spells turbulent times ahead for air travel
From rising temperatures preventing take-off to rising seas flooding runways, aviation needs to adapt to changes already grounding flights around the world
Phoenix, Arizona, United States

An unfrozen North
The world’s permafrost holds vast stores of carbon. What happens when it thaws?
Toolik Lake Field Station
High Country News

A Lesser Queenfish (Scomberoides lysan) near Sydney
Potential Range Extension. Identification verified by Tom Davis, NSW Department of Primary Industries. Depth: 2 m.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Redmap

Rare, ‘weird-looking’ 70-pound frozen fish washes ashore in Haines
As the tide ebbed down the beach outside his house Friday, Harry Rietze discovered a mysterious sea creature that one scientific paper described as a puzzling fish with soft bones.

Polar bear hunts a fox hiding in a barrel
Usually polar bears feed on seals and young walruses, or scavenge the carcasses of whales. If these are in short supply they kill reindeer, muskox, geese and apparently, fox.
Sabetta
Siberian Times

AK: Rising populations, threat of disease prompt renewed interest in bat research
Bats are a pretty low priority for most Alaskan biologists, but that could be changing due to a recent uptick in the creature’s population. Add to that a disease that’s been killing millions of bats in the lower 48, and Alaska might be taking note with the rest of the nation very soon. Listen now

Sperm whale spotted in B.C. strait for 1st time in decades
A sperm whale has been confirmed on Vancouver Island's eastern coast for the first time since 1984.
Johnstone Strait
CBC News

What the swift collapse of some Labrador caribou can tell us about endangered species
It could have been a golden opportunity for research and harvesting, but government inaction led to total collapse of caribou on an island off Labrador.
George's Island, Labrador, Canada

Changing climate forces mushers to break new trails
The route of the Yukon Quest traverses Lake Laberge for the first time in decades, and that's not the only dog sled race affected by the changing climate.
Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada

Arctic birds, seals and reindeer killed by marine plastics; pollution expected to rise
Researchers say the concentration of plastic waste in the European Arctic is now comparable or even higher than in more urban and populated areas.
Svalbard, Svalbard, Norway
Radio Australia

Unseasonably early daffodils prompt wish for cold weather on B.C. farm
Longview Farms just north of Victoria says mild weather a problem for seasonal farming
North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

If you live in Florida, climate change is already affecting your health
Climate change is already impacting Floridians health, doctors say, and it's going to get worse in the future. That's why Florida doctors and nurses formed Florida Clinicians for Climate Action, an educational and activist group dedicated to teaching people and politicians about the dangers of climate change on human health.
Florida, United States
Miami Herald

Large Earthquake Detected In Öræfajökull
The area around Öræfajökull glacier continues to show increased activity as the largest earthquake detected in the area, M3,6 on the Richter scale, occurred there this morning.
Öræfajökull Volcano, Iceland

Sounds of Skating on Thin Ice
This small lake outside Stockholm, Sweden, emits otherworldly sounds as Mårten Ajne skates over its precariously thin, black ice.
Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
National Geographic

Thawing Arctic permafrost could release massive amounts of mercury - Arctic Today
New research shows that permafrost soils hold massive quantities of mercury — nearly twice as much as is held in all other soils in the world, plus the mercury in the oceans and the atmosphere —
Arctic Today

Unwanted visitor - Sargassum seaweed
Barbados’ most unwanted visitor has returned to its shores. The dreaded Sargassum seaweed is back. Since 2015 an influx of the unwelcome brown micro-algae has proven to be a major headache for the tourism industry. The seaweed, which invaded a number of beaches in Barbados, caused an awful stench, as the vegetable matter rotted after …
River Bay, Saint Lucy Parish, Barbados
Barbados Today

Skin freezing temperatures in Rankin Inlet close schools
The extreme cold is about 15 degrees colder than what is normal for this time of the year in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. 'I don't remember the last time we actually closed due to weather. This is a bit of an extreme'
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada

Athletes could be affected as freezing Winter Olympics awaits
With only two days left until the Winter Olympics start in South Korea, there's one topic that keeps popping up among the people who have made it there. The Cold Weather
Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Northern Lampfish (Stenobrachius leucopsarus) Found on the Beach at Letnikov Cove
Northern Lampfish washed up along the beach at Letnikov Cove

Coldest January In Decades
The average temperature in Iceland this January was colder than it has been in the last decade.
Iceland

Researcher blames lack of ice on Baltic Sea for southern Finland's messy winter
The Finnish researcher says the source of southern Finland's unusually slippery roads and messy snow this winter is very likely due to warm air from the sea.
Hanko, Uusimaa, Finland

Saimaa seal population on the rise in Finland
Recent heavy snowfall and large drifts have created ideal conditions for the dens where the endangered Saimaa ringed seal raise their young, and a record number of pups may be born this year. The freshwater Saimaa ringed seal is one of the most endangered seal species in the world.
Lake Saimaa, South Karelia, Finland
Eye on the Arctic

How the Antarctic Sun Creates Breathtaking Optical Effects
A fine haze of ice particles transformed this landscape into an otherworldly scene
South Pole
Smithsonian - SMARTNEWS

Utility Poles Leaning
Leaning utility poles in south Anchorage

Ice roads and tundra travel: Rural Arctic access complicated by warmer winters
While industry has had to adapt to changes, many locals are still struggling to find a new normal amidst the shifting seasons.

Rural access complicated by warmer winters
Late December and early January starts to the off-road season have become normal as warmer temperatures continue to mark the winter months across most of the Arctic. While industry has had to adapt to changes, many locals are still struggling to find a new normal amidst the shifting seasons.
Utqiagvik, Alaska, United States
Arctic Sounder

Arctic sees temporary return to colder temperatures
The Arctic Sounder - Serving the Northwest Arctic and the North Slope
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
The Arctic Sounder

Snowstorm beats European record
Half a meter of snow fell in the Vasternorrland region of Sweden, Thursday, the largest snowfall measured in Europe yesterday.
Näsåker, Västernorrland, Sweden

Amid Shrinking Sea Ice, Hunters Race To Adapt
As snow machines zoomed past, Dennis Davis set up his new drone. According to Davis, blue ice is more solid than white. Those are areas hunters can travel across more safely as they search for marine mammal prey.

2017-2018 Minke Whale Unusual Mortality Event along the Atlantic Coast | NOAA Fisheries
Since January 2017, elevated minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) mortalities have occurred along the Atlantic coast from Maine through South Carolina.
NOAA Fisheries

Over 400 Sheep Found in Mountains
Over 400 sheep have been gathered from up in the mountains in East Iceland this winter after being left behind during sheep gathering.
Reydarfjordur, East, Iceland

Dangerously Low on Water, Cape Town Now Faces ‘Day Zero’
One of Africa’s richest cities is threatening to turn off the taps to its four million residents, cutting off homes and most businesses.
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
The New York Times
Norimitsu Onishi and Somini Sengupta (The Daily Maverick)

Shifting ground causes problems for Whitehorse office building
A large retail and office building in downtown Whitehorse has shifted so much in just a few years that its elevator is now out of service.

Shellfish poisoning of dogs confirmed
Tests reveal concentrations of toxins in the shellfish the dogs ate was up to 27 times the safe limit.
Norwich, England, United Kingdom

MetService: It's going to get hotter, New Zealand warned
The dial will be turned up even more on the summer heat at the start of next week.
Waiau, Canterbury Region, New Zealand
NZ Herald

Coroner's warning after Christchurch MS patient dies in soaring heat
Coroner warning after heat-related death.
Christchurch, Canterbury Region, New Zealand
NZ Herald

Two bears were badly burned in wildfires, and fish skin helped heal them
Veterinarians in California use tilapia skin to treat burns on bears injured during wildfires.
Summerland, California, United States

Video: The oceans are changing. Can crabs adapt?
At a lab in Kodiak, researchers are working to understand whether crabs can adapt to ocean acidification.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
KTOO
Eric Keto and Rachel Waldholz, Alaska's Energy Desk

Chefornak bands together to combat climate change
This is not the first time this village has faced the threat of erosion and flooding, but relocating won’t be as easy as it was last time.
Chefornak, Alaska, United States

Snowy and windy in the north, wet and dangerously slippery elsewhere
Rain and rising temperatures have brought warnings of extremely slippery conditions in other areas.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland

Endangered Orcas Are Starving. Should We Start Feeding Them?
Washington state officials have proposed a new tack to save the Pacific Northwest's critically endangered orca population. Their idea is to boost salmon
Puget Sound, Washington, United States
NW News Network

Bird of the Year: Endangered pochard population in steep decline
BirdLife Finland reports that Finnish populations of the common pochardhave plummeted by 80 percent in 20 years.
Pori, Satakunta, Finland

Is There A Ticking Time Bomb Under The Arctic?
Just what exactly is permafrost? And what is happening now that it's warming up? To find out, we enter the Arctic Circle's secret world of ice and frozen history.
Northern Alaska, United States
NPR

Video: The oceans are changing. Can crabs adapt?
Ocean acidification threatens some of Alaska’s most lucrative crab fisheries. But there’s one ray of hope: it’s possible that crabs might be able to adapt to the changing oceans. The big question scientists are researching at Bob Foy’s lab in Kodiak is – will they have enough time?
Shelikof Strait, Alaska, United States
Eric Keto, Alaska's Energy Desk - Anchorage

Roads prove deadly for reindeer in 2018
Twice as many reindeer have been killed on the roads in northern Sweden this month compared to the same period last year.
Tallåsen, Västerbotten, Sweden

Fierce storm drops a foot of snow on Anchorage in 24 hours
The storm that walloped Southcentral Alaska also left about 32 inches of snow in Moose Pass and 30 in Seward.

SW Finland faces worst winter flooding in 13 years
Packed ice crystals have pushed up water levels on the Kokemäki River, soaking some buildings in Huittinen and Pori.
Huittinen, Satakunta, Finland

4 mushers scratch due to icy conditions in Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race
Four teams had scratched as of 7 p.m. Saturday because of the icy conditions, said Kuskokwim 300 race director Madelene Reichard. "It's the same thing for all of them," Reichard said. "The dogs aren't used to running on the ice, and people were wanting to keep their dogs healthy."

In the Alaska Arctic, more rain may mean fewer musk oxen
Winter rain makes it more difficult for the animals to feed, particularly pregnant females, researchers found.
Wrangel Island

Europe storm: Germany in huge clean-up as trains run again
Three people died earlier in the Netherlands in accidents caused by hurricane-strength winds.
Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany

Trail Observations from Kuskokwim 300
Due to consistent above average winter temperatures, there are many known and developing open holes on the river. I was on the trail working at the Bogus Creek Checkpoint. Most of the trail had no snow cover, and the majority of the race was run on glare ice over the tundra.
Kuskokwim River, Alaska, United States

Erratic weather bursts fuel line on Young Road
Homeowner Bart Henderson headed back to Haines from Mexico after a fuel-feed line from a heating oil tank to a furnace burst and potentially leaked. “We’ve got a pretty good idea that the cause of the leak was from the hard freeze and then the warm weather,” Pikul said. “There was some frost heaving of the ground and it compromised the feed line.”
Chilkat Valley News

Deadly storm hits Netherlands and Germany
A fierce storm sweeping across northern Europe kills eight people and halts Dutch and German trains.
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Alaska Board of Fisheries navigates ‘uncharted territory’ for Southeast’s king salmon
The Alaska Board of Fisheries faces some tough decisions this week. One of those is how to conserve dwindling king salmon stocks in a way that won’t financially cripple Southeast salmon fishermen.
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Invasive species are still rare in the Arctic — but that could soon change
Environmental and economic changes could make it easier for non-native plants and animals to gain a foothold in the North.
Katla Volcano, South, Iceland
Arctic Now

Arctic in January - No Sea Ice
Residents use drones to show unusual sea ice conditions along the Chukchi coast.

What caused the Blob? Scientists conclude, we did
In 2014, a warm water system — known as the Blob — wreaked havoc in the waters of the Gulf of Alaska. The relationship between extreme weather events and climate change is complicated. But scientists are getting closer to figuring out how the two are linked.
Northeast Pacific Ocean
Elizabeth Jenkins, Alaska's Energy Desk - Juneau

How climate change could make the threat a tiny pathogen poses to northern Canada a lot worse
T. gondii infection in people was found to be associated with drinking water from home water tanks where T. gondii parasites remained, clinging to the walls—so cleaning of these water tanks would be one way to reduce infection.
Kuujjuaq, Quebec, Canada
Arctic Now

Open water turns Kuskokwim 300 into a 2-lap race for the first time
For the first time, the race will run two laps to its halfway point and back. Mushers agree it’s the safest way to run the race, but it could present challenges.

Robin Spotted In Chuathbaluk
Mid-January robin sighting in Chuathbaluk.
Chuathbaluk, Alaska, United States

As ice layers get thinner, ship sets another Arctic speed record
Favorable ice conditions meant that the ship »Baltic Winter» spent only about five and a half days on its voyage across the Northern Sea Route.
Novaya Zemlya, Архангельская область, Russia
The Independent Barents Observer

Rare bird visit to Cranbrook sparks BC-wide interest
A female northern cardinal has made Cranbrook her home, and is drawing birders from all over BC
Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
Cranbrook Daily Townsman

Earthquake Reported SW of Gambell, AK
Earthquake in low-probability area in Alaska

Warm Weather And Lady Bugs
The weather was the warmest I’ve ever seen for this time of year and never seen insects like ladybugs out this time of year.

High winter winds and warm temperatures
We've had so much wind this winter, on the 15th of January, the winds were warm!!!!!!
Golovin, Alaska, United States

Female Sparrow (Emberizidae) Seen In Pedro Bay
Mid-January sparrow sighting in Pedro Bay
Pedro Bay, Alaska, United States

Robin (Turdus migratorius) Spotted
The early arrival of robins in southeast Alaska.

Detah ice road ties record for latest opening
The ice road between Detah and Yellowknife is opening Friday, a date that ties a decades-old record.
Yellowknife Ice Road, NWT

Western Alps buried in meters of fresh snow
The western Alps of northwestern Italy, southeastern France and extreme southern Switzerland received enormous amounts of fresh snow over the past few days.
Rosières-en-Santerre, Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie, France
Severe Weather Europe

Climate change hinders residential constructions in Sweden
Skåne county has denied planning permission for the building of two new beachfront homes, saying they are at risk from rising sea levels caused by climate change.
The planning permission concerns two houses to be built between 100 and 200 metres away from the sea.
According to the county adminis
Åhus, Skåne län, Sweden

Alaska releases first detailed report on negative health impacts of climate change
The sweeping list of potential health implications includes the introduction of new diseases, an increase in accidents and a worsening allergy season.
Alaska, United States

State report details potential health impacts of climate change
How will climate change affect health in Alaska? Dangerous travel conditions could cause more accidents, warmer temperatures could spread new diseases and the topsy-turvy weather could worsen mental health. Those are some conclusions from a new state report released Monday. Listen now
Newtok, Alaska, United States
Rachel Waldholz, Alaska's Energy Desk - Anchorage

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in January!!?
Peregrine falcon observed in interior Alaska in early January.
Nenana, Alaska, United States

There Are So Many Open Holes, Search And Rescue Ran Out Of Blue Tape To Mark Them
The warm winter has made traveling on the river ice more hazardous than Bethel Search and Rescue ever remembers.
Oscarville, Alaska, United States

Rain on snow event in the French Alps
Photograph illustrates the impact of a rain-on-snow event during the winter of 2018.
Courchevel, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Those turtles and iguanas aren’t dead. They’re just really cold.
Cold temperatures have started the Fall of the Iguanas and the immobilization of sea turtles, whose bodies have a hard time adjusting to the change in water temperature.
West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
miamiherald

Oceans suffocating as huge dead zones quadruple since 1950
Areas starved of oxygen in open ocean and by coasts have soared in recent decades, risking dire consequences for marine life and humanity
Temuco, La Araucanía, Chile
The Guardian

Roads, cars submerged: Storm rages with snow, floods - The Boston Globe
The powerful winter weather storm was slamming into Massachusetts by mid-morning Thursday, bringing blizzard-like conditions in some areas, torrential rain in others, power outages and hurricane-strength winds on Cape Cod and the Islands.
Quincy, Massachusetts, United States
The Boston Globe

Porcupine caribou herd numbers highest in monitoring history
"Currently we don't have any studies specifically looking at what factors are affecting those demographics," said Jason Caikoski, a wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Listen now
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, United States
Ravenna Koenig, Alaska's Energy Desk - Fairbanks

After two-week delay, sled dog racing season kicks off on the Kuskokwim
Sled dog racing season officially began on the Kuskokwim this weekend. Listen now

Alaska just had its warmest December on record
The statewide average temperature in December was 19.4 degrees, 15.7 degrees above the 20th century average.

Father's Body Recovered, Five Rescued After Family Falls Through Kuskokwim On New Year's Eve
A father’s body has been recovered from the Kuskokwim River after he and his family fell through a marked, open hole the night of New Year’s Eve. Bethel

Police help capture baby seal found wandering on busy road
"How he got so far inland from the ocean to Route 6A without getting hurt is amazing," police posted. "Must be a NAVY SEAL!"
Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, United States
CBS NEWS

Open Water Adds to Winter Chill - Part 2
While taking photos this afternoon of the snow ice on various objects near the Native Village of Unalakleet, which was on the approximate order of 4 minutes and with very little wind (playground, grass, powerlines), my hands were cold due to the "wetness" in the air and the ambient air temperature.

Amid warm winter, scientists say Alaska sea ice conditions are ‘shockingly bad’
That hurts coastal communities that hunt on the ice. But colder weather may be coming, at least to some portions of Alaska.
Gambell, Alaska, United States

As kings suffer across Southeast, Chilkat Chinook candidate for “stock of concern”
For more than five years, Southeast’s iconic king salmon have been returning in fewer and fewer numbers. Managers with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are recommending Chilkat, Unuk and King Salmon River Chinooks become official “stocks of concern.” Listen now
Chilkat River, Alaska, United States

It’s Maine Shrimp Season, Without the Shrimp
As the state’s shrimp fishery is closed for a fifth year, scientists blame climate change, shrimpers fret and locals mourn a beloved treat.
Port Clyde, Maine, United States

Amid warm winter, scientists say Alaska sea ice conditions are ‘shockingly bad’
That hurts coastal communities that hunt on the ice. But colder weather may be coming, at least to some portions of Alaska. Ice should be hugging the coast near the village of Gambell, perched on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea, said Mayor Susan Apassingok, on Tuesday. But ice isn't there.
Pacific Ocean-Bering Sea, East Coast, Alaska, United States

High winds knock out power, damage buildings in Kuskokwim Bay
Winds of up to 85 mph ripped up the Southwest Alaska coast on Friday, upending smokehouses, tearing electric lines and flinging a house across the road.
Quinhagak, Alaska, United States

Lineup of Storms and Unseasonable Weather
Multiple storms and warm weather in St. Mary's.
Saint Mary's, Alaska, United States

Arctic snowy owls wintering in U.S. fitted with tiny tracking devices
For researchers, this winter's mass migration of snowy owls from their breeding grounds above the Arctic Circle to the Great Lakes region is serious business.
Duxbury Beach, Massachusetts, United States

Alaska gets federal disaster help after North Slope storm
A September storm caused damage in Utqiagvik, and Gov. Bill Walker declared a disaster there last month.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Weather extremes now surpassing the realm of natural possibilities | Watching Our Water Ways
Environmental reporter Christopher Dunagan discusses the challenges of protecting Puget Sound and all things water-related. Weather extremes now surpassing the realm of natural possibilities
Puget Sound, Washington, United States
Kitsap Sun

After responding to 3 vehicles that broke through ice so far this year, N.W.T. gov't asks public to be careful
The number of vehicles reported to have gone through the ice around Yellowknife continues to rise. According to the N.W.T. Department of Environment, its spill response team has responded to three vehicles through the ice so far this year.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Saiga Antelopes Are Struck Again by a Plague in Central Asia
It was December when the first reports started coming in: All across the frozen Mongolian steppe, saiga were dying from a virus. The antelope species, with its tawny coat, ringed horns and incongruous oversize snout, has roamed the world's chilly northern grasslands since the Pleistocene.
Ховд, Hovd, Mongolia
The Washington Post

Suspected stolen vehicle falls through thin ice on Chena Lake
A borough employee who went to measure ice at Chena Lake got first-hand evidence that the lake ice ready for vehicles. “Lo and behold, there was a truck upside down on the bottom in about 25 feet of water,” Haas said. “No one was in it.”
Chena Lakes, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

For Alaskan Coastal Village, Erosion Hits Home
Melting permafrost and major storms are eating away at the coastal Alaskan village of Newtok. Residents are desperate to move, but the U.S. has no climate change policy that could help them.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
NPR

Slow River Freeze Up and Difficult Travel Conditions
Unusually warm temperatures for an extended period this winter has affected the ability to travel because the river isn't freezing over.
Galena, Alaska, United States

As permafrost thaws, Western Alaska village cemeteries sink into swampland
In villages like Kongiganak, communities have stopped burying their dead because, as the permafrost melts, the oldest part of their cemetery is sinking.
Kongiganak, Alaska, United States

Kodiak officials prepare for ‘disaster’: An 80 percent decline in Gulf cod catches in 2018
The bad news was announced by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, which sets the catches for more than 25 species in waters from 3 to 200 miles from shore in the Gulf and the Bering Sea. The cod decline is blamed on younger fish not surviving warm ocean temperatures that began in 2014.
North Pacific & Bering Sea, Alaska, United States

Wolves and logging both cut into Prince of Wales deer
This deer season has been the worst in recent memory for a lot of hunters on Prince of Wales Island.
Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, United States

Seward Highway reopened after landslide
Temperatures in the area were unseasonably high last week, reaching into the mid-40s, according to the National Weather Service. Then temperatures dropped below freezing Sunday and into Monday morning. "There's a lot of water flowing underground in this area," McCarthy said. The freeze-thaw "caused some instability and that made it slide."

Port Heiden loses road access to safe harbor and old village
Port Heiden’s road to its harbor and old village site is crumbling into the sea and the lake on the other side of it will likely breach soon. “The road is basically gone. [Erosion]’s cut right half into the road,” said Scott Anderson, the Native Village of Port Heiden’s Tribal Environmental Director.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

Warm, Windy, Snowy, Wet, Cool Days!
"Our roads are slippery when there would be snow to where the children were out with their sled. Planes never cancelled as much as this year to where the flights were backed up to 3 or 4 days. Lately, we've been seeing grasses regrowing after it warms up out there."
Lower Kalskag, Alaska, United States

Southern beaches need protection from rising waters - Radio Sweden
Sweden’s shrinking southern shorelines need to be saved with sand, according to researchers from Lund University.
Sölvesborg, Blekinge, Sweden

At least 4 people, and 1 snowmobile, have broken through the ice in Yellowknife Bay
Darcy Bourassa was just walking around his house on Tuesday when 'I must have stepped right in the perfect spot and went through.' "What I think was happening here is there's a lot of snow built up it's really insulated in the snow and it hasn't been cold this fall or this winter so there's not a lot of ice penetration underneath that snow."
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

National ski championships still a go at Kincaid Park
Though snow is scant in Anchorage, organizers are confident they will be able to host the Jan. 3-8 race series.

High temperatures in Utqiaġvik confuse NOAA algorithm
This November in Utqiaġvik was the hottest on record, averaging 17.2°F. It was so warm that NOAA's quality control algorithms flagged the data. “When we look out on the ocean right now we see a few icebergs,” Thomas said. “Normally we would see white to the horizon in the past, and in this case we’re seeing dark water to the horizon.”
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Ravenna Koenig, Alaska's Energy Desk - Fairbanks

Officials are still scrambling to fix a rail link to Canada’s deepwater Arctic port
Seven months after flooding damage to a rail link cut off land access from southern Canada to Churchill. Manitoba — Canada's only deepwater Arctic port — government and business officials are still trying to find a permanent solution.
Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Arctic Today

King Cove closer to goal of 100 percent renewable energy
A small eastern Aleutian community is now getting nearly all of its energy from renewable sources. With a second hydro facility that began producing power late this spring, the city of King Cove has dramatically reduced its dependence on diesel.
King Cove, Alaska, United States
Zoë Sobel, Alaska's Energy Desk - Unalaska

Researchers find high levels of microplastics on Norway’s Arctic coast
Eastern Finnmark, on the coast of the Barents Sea has always proved to be the cleanest of all areas of testing in the North Atlantic. But not so any more.
Hasvik, Finnmark Fylke, Norway

More snow, rain and slush heading to southern, central Finland
A new precipitation system is approaching Finland from the south-west, bringing wet, heavy snow or sleet to southern and some central areas of the country, possibly causing headaches for commuters on Friday morning.
Kajaani, Kainuu, Finland

How Global Warming Fueled Five Extreme Weather Events
Scientists analyzed 27 extreme weather events from 2016 and found that global warming was a “significant driver” for most of them. We look at five cases.
The New York Times

Wet winter increases threat of flooding
Mild, wet weather has raised water levels in rivers and lakes around the country.
Kymijoki River, Finland

Blog: Can environmental diplomacy save Arctic languages?
Following a 2008 symposium on indigenous arctic languages in Tromsø, Norway, the Indigenous Permanent Participants of the Arctic Council launched the Arctic Languages Vitality initiative under the auspices of the Council’s Sustainable Development Working Group.
Naryan-Mar, Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia

Arctic saw 2nd warmest year, smallest winter sea ice coverage on record in 2017 | NOAA
A NOAA-sponsored report shows that the warming trend transforming the Arctic persisted in 2017, resulting in the second warmest air temperatures, above average ocean temperatures, loss of sea ice, and a range of human, ocean and ecosystem effects.
Arctic Region, World
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Chinook gusts up to 80 mph knock out power around Interior
Golden Valley Electric Association crews are still working to repair damage to power lines caused by warm chinook winds that blasted the Interior over the weekend, especially around Delta Junction.
Delta Junction, Alaska, United States

Mount Cleveland volcano spits ash miles into the sky over the Aleutians
The ash cloud from the remote volcano was detected in satellite data and was big enough for the National Weather Service to issue a warning for aircraft up to 20,000 feet above sea level.
Chuginadak Island, Alaska, United States

It's a week of weird, warm weather in Whitehorse
After some bracing winter weather in November, the city has seen an unusually mild start to this month, with temperatures soaring well above the freezing point, and even some rain.

High winds, record-breaking warmth
Anchorage sidewalks were slick with ice and the roads were full of puddles because of unseasonably high temperatures.By mid morning the temperature had reached 46 degrees.

Video of emaciated polar bear may not be what it seems
A viral video of a starving polar bear rummaging through garbage in search of food isn't necessarily the result of climate change, says local man who monitors the animals.
CBC Radio

High levels of algae-produced biotoxin found in dead walrus
Three of the walruses had low to moderate levels of saxitoxin, while the fourth one had high levels.
Diomede, Alaska, United States

Houston Ship Channel And Galveston Bay Digging Out After Harvey | WAMU
The sediment and muddy freshwater that spilled into these Texas bodies of water are causing problems for the shipping and oyster industries.
Houston, Texas, United States
WAMU

A struggling Bering Sea village loses one of its few remaining young men
For the 60 or so villagers who live on the island of St. George, where Serge Lekanof was one of only a half-dozen 20-something men, the discovery of his body brings vivid grief.
Saint George, Alaska, United States

Scientists find dramatic increase in pollock in Northern Bering Sea
Three researchers from the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center completed a trawl survey of the Northern Bering Sea in 2017 and found a dramatic increase in pollock.
Northern Bering Sea, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

It's snowing in south Texas! Yes, you read that right
Big and fluffy snowflakes fell across parts of south Texas on Thursday, including San Antonio and Austin.
San Antonio, Texas, United States

Southern California Fires Surpass 115,000 Acres As Santa Ana Winds Drive Flames
Driven by fierce Santa Ana winds, four intense fires near Los Angeles grew to engulf more than 115,000 acres Thursday, and officials say residents should be prepared for even more strong winds through Friday.
Ventura County, California, United States
KCBX Central Coast Public Radio

‘It Burns and It Keeps Burning’: Scenes From Southern California’s Wildfires
Wildfires have burned more than 100,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Fighting them were professionals and homeowners with garden hoses.
Los Angeles, California, United States

Record Breaking Hot Water Usage in November
There has never been more use of hot water in the capital area in November than this year. The temperature that month was measured as quite cold according to the Icelandic Met Office, explaining the need for more hot water.
Hveragerdi, South, Iceland

Richardson Highway closed following avalanche and extreme snow
Crews are working to clear snow off of the Richardson Highway near Valdez, after excessive snow has not relented, and an avalanche has poured over the isolated highway stretch.
Valdez, Alaska, United States
KTUU News

Open Holes On Ice Road Says Bethel Search And Rescue
The ice highway that residents are used to driving this time of year has yet to fully freeze. Bethel Search and Rescue calls the number of open holes on

Ahousaht Harbor: Swimming Hole Monitoring
Ahousaht, British Columbia, Canada

Chordgrass (Spartina sp.) eradication at Goose Spit
Goose Spit Regional Park, Comox, British Columbia, Canada
Hilary Blackman, Colin Robinson, Tom Okey, Cory Frank, Laura Loucks

Unidentified Jay
Unidentified Jay sighted in southcentral Alaska, early December.

Wildfires In Southern California Force Thousands Of People To Flee
Multiple fires are burning in Southern California, claiming hundreds of structures and thousands of acres and closing many freeways and local roadways, according to state fire officials.
Santa Paula, California, United States
Richard Gonzales, Scott Neuman, Amy Held

Fast Weather Change: Snowfall
Rapid weather change, with snowfall.

Wolf sightings have increased this year
Wolf sightings in the wetlands area have hikers worried for their safety.
Juneau Empire

Two moose calves die after likely eating poisonous ornamental plants
Two moose calves found dead outside separate Anchorage homes on Friday are believed to have died from eating poisonous ornamental plants.

Victoria breaks rainfall record for November
Residents say mild weather makes toughing out the rain worthwhile
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette
Lauren Boothby, Hugo Wong, and Ashley Wadwani

Unusual Depressions in Lummi Tideflats
Marietta, Washington, United States
Tom Okey, Jeramiah Wallace, Sichangu Lee

Bloated Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Harbor
Sick and bloated sea lion may have been caused by eating rotten fish, noted state DVM.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States

Our mysteriously shrinking Kenai king salmon
Since Les Anderson landed a 97-pound Kenai king in 1985, the prized fish has been harder to find and smaller. Is there something we all can do to help reverse the trend?
Kenai, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

How Alaska's Jay birds spread their seeds
On a recent hike, I heard a volley of high-pitched screams coming from a thick stand of small spruces just beside the trail. They sounded very much like the cries of a red-tailed hawk, but that bird would be highly improbable in such a place and at this time of year (February). Surely it was a Steller’s jay, which is well-known to mimic redtails and some other birds as well.
JuneauEmpire.com

Amazon Deforestation, Once Tamed, Comes Roaring Back
"A decade after the “Save the Rainforest” movement captured the world’s imagination, Cargill and other food giants are pushing deeper into the wilderness."
Coari, Amazonas, Brazil
HIROKO TABUCHI, CLAIRE RIGBY and JEREMY WHITE

Climate change doubles size of lakes in N.W.T. bison sanctuary, reducing habitat
Fort Providence

Manila Clam (Venerupis philippinarum) Die-Off
Manila Clam (*Venerupis philippinarum*) Die-off observed - possibly related to freezing temperatures.
Lummi Bay, Bellingham, Washington (Lummi Nation), United States

Go back to bed! Early-riser bear spotted near Whitehorse
Wildlife officials typically tell Yukoners to keep an eye out for bears coming out of hibernation in April. 'We don't generally get sightings reported this time of year.'

First-ever cases of obesity in Arctic peoples as noodles replace traditional diet
Changes in traditional diet and lifestyle of native ethnic groups in the Yamalo-Nenets region have brought the first cases of obesity. Change in wildlife routes and climate are among factors causing diets to change.
Yamal Peninsula

Eklutna Glacier, a source of Anchorage drinking water, is disappearing drip by drip
A new study quantifies the rate at which Eklutna Glacier is losing its icy mass. Between 1957 and 2010, the loss of glacier mass averaged 5 percent a year.
Eagle River, Alaska, United States
Alaska Dispatch News

New restrictions made on king salmon fishing in Kenai and Kasilof
he Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced restrictions Thursday for king salmon fishing in the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers. King runs to the Kenai and Kasilof continue their recent trend of expected low returns.
Kenai, Alaska, United States

Whats happening to winter? Unusual warm weather hits N.W.T
It is not uncommon in the Northwest Territories to have a few days of warmer weather here and there throughout the winter season. However, this winter seems to have had a few more warmer days, and more frequently than normal.
Fort Liard, Northwest Territories, Canada

With winter back at Kincaid Park, high school skiers experience a brand-new world
At Friday's and Saturday's Cook Inlet Conference championships, they were challenged by some of the toughest courses set for high school skiers in recent years.
Alaska Dispatch News

When Their Food Ran Out, These Reindeer Kept Digging
Reindeer are thought to face a grim future as climate change threatens lichen, a key winter food source. But on one Alaskan island, reindeer have found a new food source, making scientists hopeful.
St. Paul, Alaska, United States
NPR.org

Waiting for winter: ice roads mean the North Slope can get to work
Every winter, a massive infrastructure project takes place on the North Slope one thats designed to disappear. Ice roads are built to minimize the oil industrys footprint on the sensitive tundra, and melt away in spring. Many of the oil industrys multi-million dollar projects on the North Slope cant be built until the ice roads are finished each year.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

A sure sign of spring: Korkeasaari bears wake from winter hibernation
In Finland nothing means spring is around the corner more in the south than news that the brown bears at Helsinkis Korkeasaari Zoo have woken from their winters sleep. Zoo employees say the 16 and 11-year-old females hibernation is increasingly cut shorter as the years pass.

WATCH: Rare Sunfish observed in the waters near Bella Bella
Seaforth Channel, British Columbia, Canada
Global News

10 snowmobilers die in thinly frozen lakes in mild Northeast
Albany, New York, United States
Fox News

New whale species discovered in Sri Lankan waters
Accidentally running into a whole new species of whale on the job? For marine biologist, conservationist and educator Asha de Vos, who’s a specialist in Sri Lankan blue whales, it’s all in a day’s…
Sri Lanka
TED Fellows

Warm, wet weather prompts road closures | Yukon News
Record-breaking warm temperatures had some people in Whitehorse basking in the sun over the last few days.
Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada
Yukon News

After die-off, sea stars face uncertain future
Sea star wasting syndrome was first documented in Kachemak Bay in 2014, but it wasn’t until last summer that the mysterious infection began killing sea stars in large numbers.
Homer, Alaska, United States
KBBI

Warm, wet weather prompts road closures
Record-breaking warm temperatures had some people in Whitehorse basking in the sun. In Haines Junction it was raining so hard the sand was washing off the road.
Yukon News

City councils spending millions on creating snow
Sweden is having another winter without much of the white stuff, but local councils are taking the matter in their own hands.
Östersund, Jämtland, Sweden

February 2017 Heavy Rains
Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia

Erosion at Homer Spit is speeding up
Land's End Resort was built more than 50 years ago, and during that time, the Homer Spit has changed dramatically. A change in the direction and intensity of winds may be driving the faster erosion.

Ice cover at sea exceptionally low this winter
Ice cover over Finlands sea areas is very low. Experts warn that the ice is now very thin over sea, and with spring slowly arriving, the situation is not likely to improve.
Tornio, Lapland, Finland

Miserable stretches of trail prompt Iditarod to move race start to Fairbanks
For the second time in three years, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will move its official start from Willow to Fairbanks due to poor trail conditions that race officials determined unsafe.
Willow, Alaska, United States

Sheriff: Car, Truck Plunge Into Lake Minnetonka Within Hours Of Each Other
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office reported that two vehicles had plunged into Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota within hours of each other.
Minnetonka Beach, Minnesota, United States
CBS Minnesota (WCCO 830)

‘It was really haunting’: 416 beached whales propel New Zealanders into frenzied rescue mission
The whale stranding was the third largest in New Zealand history, since the country began keeping data in the 1800s.
Farewell Spit, Tasman, New Zealand

Unusually warm ocean temperatures linked to massive Pacific seabird die-off
A year after tens of thousands of common murres, an abundant North Pacific seabird, starved and washed ashore on beaches from California to Alaska, researchers have pinned the cause to unusually warm ocean temperatures that affected the tiny fish they eat.
Whittier, Alaska, United States

Movimientos inusuales de la marea en El Cuyo, Yucatán
El Cuyo, Yucatán, Mexico

Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) with deformity
Fish has bend in spine.
Goodnews Bay, Alaska, United States
Alice Julius, Ted Meyers, Jayde Ferguson

Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) with Lesions
Lesions on this Dolly Varden or Arctic char are most likely furuncles caused by a common bacterial pathogen called Aeromonas salmonicida.
Goodnews Bay, Alaska, United States
Alice Julius, Ted Meyers, Jayde Ferguson

Logging Crew Mobilizes Near Irreplaceable Wetland, Slated for Site C Flooding
Watson Slough, Peace River region
DeSmog Canada

Abundance of "Oyster Pickers" Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani)
"I learned from a community member that they haven't seen these type of birds here within town, they usually see them on the islands that surround our cove. With the warming temps. people have noticed more and more different types of birds showing up in our community."
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Heavy snow fears as Fraser Valley prepares for another big dump
With up to 70 cm of snow already on the ground, the Fraser Valley is bracing for another dump of snow and heavy rain as early as Wednesday.
Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Winds challenging Finland’s icebreakers despite record low Baltic ice
Meteorologist Niko Tollman of the Finnish Meteorology Institute confirms that counting up the number of stormy days this past month made January one of the windiest first months of the year over sea areas since 1994.
Oulu, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland
Yle

Ashfall from Bogoslof Volcano
Dusting of ash reported overnight.
Unalaska, Alaska, United States

People of the sea ice see cracks forming
In Nain, a coastal village in Newfoundland and Labrador, the approximately 1,400 residents rely on sea ice for transportation and traditional activities.
Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Hakai Magazine

Alaska biologists research mystery of declining caribou herd
The size of a large caribou herd in Alaska's Arctic region has dropped by more 50 percent over the last three years, and researchers who have tentatively ruled out hunting and predation as significant factors for the decline are trying to determine why.
North Slope, Alaska, United States
Allied News

Alaska biologists research mystery of declining caribou herd
The size of a large caribou herd in Alaska's Arctic region has dropped by more 50 percent over the last three years, and researchers who have tentatively ruled out hunting and predation as significant factors for the decline are trying to determine why.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Associated Press

Ice of Change - Amid Waterfowl Sightings
No sea ice; hunters say it should not be like this today.

At Herschel Island, history is eroding
Herschel Island has seen a lot of people come and go. The Inuvialuit have used the place, known as Qikiqtaruk in Inuvialuktun, for at least 1,000 years.
Herschel Island, Yukon Territory, Canada
Yukon News

Canadian Arctic faces threat of coastal erosion
Darren Nasogaluak has an unusual problem.As the mayor of Tuktoyaktuk, a small Inuvialuit hamlet on the coast of the Beaufort Sea, he has had to watch bits of his community wash away over the years.
Herschel Island - Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park, Beufort Sea, YT, Canada
ND Arctic Deeply

Vandalism of mammoth graveyards in Siberia
Unique paleontological sites are facing destruction from gangs seeking to sell prehistoric remains. The hunters are especially active in late summer, when the permafrost retreats leaving mammoth remains more visible.
Zhokhov island

St. Paul’s fur seal pups at lowest level in 100 years
Scientist Rod Towell has been part of the fur seal counts since 1992. He said the difference at the rookeries is striking. Northern fur seal pup production has hit its lowest level since 1915.
Saint Paul, Alaska, United States

Kenai Peninsula permafrost thawing rapidly
A recent study estimates permafrost coverage on the peninsula has decreased by 60 percent since 1950. Permafrost is usually associated with Northern and Interior Alaska, but it also occurs in isolated pockets in wetlands on the Kenai Peninsula.
Ridgeway, Alaska, United States
KBBI Homer

St. Paul’s reindeer thrive without lichen
As lichen has disappeared, the herd has changed its diet. This adaptation could have global implications for reindeer facing a warming climate.
Saint Paul, Alaska, United States

Permafrost thaw altering chemistry of Yukon River
As Alaska warms and permafrost thaws, the chemistry of the Yukon River's water is transforming chemically, new research from the U.S. Geological Survey shows.
Pilot Station, Alaska, United States

How tundra wildfires could create an unstoppable cycle
The 2007 fire was probably the first for that area in 6,500 years, according to scientific evidence examined later, Higuera said. But the wait for the next big burn won't be nearly as long, according to the evidence gathered in the study.
Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska, United States

Asian tapeworm found in Alaskan salmon
Scientists recently announced they had found an Asian tapeworm species in pink salmon caught off the coast of the Kenai Peninsula. Listen now
Hope, Alaska, United States

Muuelomuuel (Red Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum) Flowering
Flowers blooming near the mouth of the Klamath River
Klamath, California, United States

Lowest Temperatures in Years Coming to Southcentral and Interior Alaska
In Anchorage, the temperatures forecast for this week won't come close to breaking any city records, Ahsenmacher said. But they are a departure from years of mild winters that rarely saw temperatures below zero.

Fog and cold have created perfect conditions for a frosty Anchorage
After years of low snow and higher winter temperatures, Anchorage once again looks like a real northern city thanks to a heavy layer of frost.

Lavado de orilla

Early American Robin (Turdus migratorius) Sighting
A robin was sighted in southcentral Alaska; an early arrival.
Port Graham, Alaska, United States

Desperate exodus of the climate refugees | Letters
Letters: Climate change is driving long-term environmental damage and sudden catastrophes, presenting a global long-term threat to human security
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Snow Storm May Have Saved Dozens of Saimaa Seal Pups
Heavy snows over the weekend are likely to have saved up to half of the rare, endangered Saimaa seal pups being born this winter season from death by exposure or from predators.
Taipalsaari, South Karelia, Finland
yle

Ski Jumpers Finally Compete
It has been three years since the Anchorage ski jumping club has been able to hold our New Year competition.

Seal - Harbor (Phoca vitulina) or Spotted (Phoca largha) with Hair Loss and Skin Infection
Was observed for the first time.
Saint Paul, Alaska, United States
Kathy Burek Huntington, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, Pamela Lestenkof, Gay Sheffield

New Year's storm pummels Bering Strait, St. Lawrence Island
A series of low pressure systems swept through western and northwestern Alaska beginning December 28 until things calmed down on January 2, leaving sections of villages without power and communicat
Bering Sea, Western Alaska

Newtok asks: Can the U.S. deal with slow motion climate disasters?
Newtok, Alaska, United States

Nomads no more: why Mongolian herders are moving to the city
Climate change and the end of Soviet state support have forced 600,000 to migrate to the capital, leaving it struggling to cope.
Ulan Bator, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
The Guardian

Warm winter sets back construction of Dettah ice road
Construction is beginning today on the ice road connecting Yellowknife to Dettah on the N.W.T.'s Yellowknife Bay, but a warm November means that it will open in January for the second time since the 2006/2007 season, and the second year in a row.
Yellowknife Ice Road, NWT

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) travel corridor along Flambeau River

Warm weather leading to worst Yukon trapping season in years

The Detective of Northern Oddities
When a creature mysteriously turns up dead in Alaska—be it a sea otter, polar bear, or humpback whale—veterinary pathologist Kathy Burek gets the call.
Jakolof Bay Alaska, United States
Outside Online

Spotted Seal
La Gi, Bình Thuận, Vietnam

Yukon's wild sheep could be at risk of disease outbreak
The Yukon Fish and Game Association executive director believes it's just a matter of time before a disease outbreak, such as pneumonia, could spread from domestic sheep to wild Dall sheep.
Clinton, British Columbia, Canada

Winter Storm Disrupts Village Communication
Winter storm shuts down communication services for the community.
Gambell, Alaska, United States

Winter Storm Brings Surge of Water and Ice
The storm raises local concerns about food security and preparedness for transportation emergencies.
Golovin, Alaska, United States
Edward "Ted" Smith, Carol Oliver, Tonya James, Anahma Shannon

Storm Left Only a Few Inches of Snow
Fast moving winter storm left about 4 to 5 inches of snow in the Hunter Creek area, a tributary of the Knik River.
Butte, Alaska, United States

Fast Moving Winter Storm
Extreme winter weather conditions.

Fish Seek Cooler Waters, Leaving Some Fishermen’s Nets Empty
Catch limits for fishermen are often based on where fish have been most abundant in the past. But they have failed to keep up with geographical changes.
Rhode Island, United States

Coastal Erosion Damaging Boat Launch
Without sea ice, our beaches are eroding.

Freezing Rain on Kenai Peninsula
Hazardous driving conditions due to freezing rain.
Caribou Hills, Alaska, United States

Open Water in Our Ocean
This fall freeze-up was somewhat delayed, not just in the Bering Straits region, but all the way up to Barrow.

Thousands of Dead Red Rock Crabs (Cancer productus) on Beach
Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada

What Type of Bird? King Eider (Somateria spectabilis)
Unknown bird sighted on the Alaskan Peninsula.

Unusual Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella)
Are the difference species of bird ecosystems failing or in the process of change?
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States
Kathy Kuletz, Angela Johnson, Julia Parrish

Warning of 'Collapse' in Siberia's Permafrost Cities
A new study has warned of the risk to buildings in urban areas across Russia's permafrost zone caused by climate change. The Russian-US analysis says a worst-case scenario could lead to a 75-95% 'reduction in bearing capacity throughout the permafrost region by 2050'.
Anadyr, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
Siberian Times

Dead Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella)
Dead Crested auklet observed near the southwest end of the Alaska Peninsula.
Kathy Kuletz, Dorothea Berntsen, Julia Parrish

Melting permafrost changes Yukon River
Tanana, Alaska, United States

Another Puget Sound orca dies — 5th in a year
The death this week of another Puget Sound killer whale makes 2016 one of the worst in recent history for the endangered marine mammals. At least five orcas in the family group J-pod have died in the past year.
Puget Sound, Washington, United States
Seattle Times

Dead Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
We are unsure how the eagle died.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Sea Angel (Clione limacina) Bloom in December
Sea angel (Clione limacina) observed during mid December near Stika, Alaska.
Nahku Bay, Alaska, United States

Gone: endemic Baikal sponge has died completely in several areas of the vast lake
Vital for making its waters so 'pure', one theory is that rising underwater methane leaks are killing off the sponge, but is there a silver lining?
Listvyanka, Irkutsk, Russia
The Siberian Times

Morning Winter Fog
An unusual morning haze "winter fog", was observed, attributed to a layer of moist air trapped near the ground.

Polar Bears’ Path to Decline Runs Through Alaskan Village
The bears that come to the northern village of Kaktovik are climate refugees, on land because the sea ice they rely on for hunting seals is receding.
Kaktovik, Alaska, United States

Unstable River Ice - Lack of Snow
From an average freeze-up to rewarming and a lack of snow. The winter weather is now gone making the river ice unstable enough to go across to the community of Togiak for groceries household goods, bad situation.
Twin Hills, Alaska, United States

Unmasked: the scale of Arctic junk polluting the pristine environment
One region alone - Yakutia - has 5 million tons scrap metal dumped in polar regions, an ugly Soviet legacy.
Kotelny island, Yakutia Region, Russia
The Siberian Times

Reindeer shrink in Arctic as their environment changes
The average weight of adult reindeer on Svalbard, north of Norway, has fallen to 106 pounds from 121 pounds in the 1990s
Norwegian Archipelago, Svalbard, Norway

December Blossoms of Japanese Flowering Cherry (Prunus subhirtella)
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) school
Island View Beach

Early thaw around Mukluk Slough
Early thaw of sloughs in and around Nulato
Nulato, Alaska, United States

Early Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) Blossoms
Early Salmonberry Blossoms in February on Kodiak Island
Ouzinkie, Alaska, United States

Sand Point's Unsafe PSP Toxin Levels
Unusually high PSP toxin levels making shellfish unsafe to eat.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) Stranding at Chignik Lagoon
Community wonders about cause of illness.
Chignik Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Flooding on Mackenzie Valley Winter Road
Tulita, Northwest Territories, Canada

Local arborist works to fight desertification |
A resident of the 20th khoroo in Sukhbaatar District, D.Chuluunbaatar, has been planting fruit trees for 20 years.
Sühbaatar, Selenge, Mongolia
The UB Post

No Ice on Iliamna Lake
Iliamna Lake is not frozen, very unusual for midwinter conditions.
Lake Iliamna, Alaska, United States

Willows (Salix scouleriana) Budding Along Chistochina River
Pussy willows (Salix scouleriana) - a sign of spring in Interior Alaska.
Chistochina, Alaska, United States

Avistamiento de ballena en playas de Puerto Progreso, Yucatán
Progreso de Castro, Yucatán, Mexico

High Number of Lynx (Lynx Canadensis)
The lynx population is up this year in Kivalina
Kivalina, Alaska, United States

B.C. government urged to stop spread of deadly diseases to wild bighorns
B.C.'s wild bighorn sheep are facing a deadly threat from a pneumonia-causing bacterial disease
Cache Creek, British Columbia, Canada

Early Iceberg Season - Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada and U.S. Coast Guard Monitoring Conditions
Ellsiton, Newfoundland, Canada

Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis) Blooming In February
Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis) Blooming in February
Sitka, Alaska, United States

Bighorn sheep in B.C. dying from domestic sheep pneumonia
A bighorn sheep herd in B.C.’s interior is in trouble after coming into contact with domestic sheep and the contagious disease they carry.
Chasm Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada

Fuzzy Winter Caterpillar
A small black fuzzy caterpillar seen in the NPS administrative building in King Salmon, Alaska
King Salmon, Alaska, United States

Dead Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
A fin whale washed ashore in St. George, Pribilofs, Alaska.
St. George, Alaska, United States

Winter Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) Sighting
The lack of sea ice in Toksook Bay, has allowed for a uniquel sighting - a January beluga whale!
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Early Western Tree Frogs (Pseudacris regilla)
Observers note that the western tree frogs are singing earlier then usual this year, perhaps taking advantage of a break in the drought.
Yurok Indian Reservation, California, United States

Winter Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
Black bear (Ursus americanus) sighted during a rather warm winter this year.
Pedro Bay, Alaska, United States

Sure Has Been A Warm Winter
It was a very warm week of the 25th of January, on my way home it started raining pretty heavy, mind you, no snow, but rain. I was expecting maybe some wet snow, but it was not to be...
Wasilla, Alaska, United States

Dead Murres (Uria aalge)
Sea bird mortality observed on southeast end of Homer Spit

Common Murres (Uria aalge) Sighted On Iliamna
Common murre sightings; a concern for the predatory and scavenger bird numbers
Kokhanok, Alaska, United States

Observing Eklutna Lake Water Level
The level of Eklutna Lake seems to be very low this winter. Over the long term, decline of the Eklutna Glacier is a concern for water and energy supply.
Eklutna Lake, Alaska, United States

Glide Cracks In Turnagain Pass
Glide Crack in Turnagain Pass
Turnagain Pass, Alaska, United States

This May Be The Most Contaminated Killer Whale Ever Recorded
Tiree, Scotland, United Kingdom
Huffington Post

Woodpecker (Picoides pubescenc) In Coastal Southwest
A woodpecker never seen before.
Goodnews Bay, Alaska, United States

Dead Porpoise and Birds
A dead porpoise and eight seabirds found along shoreline

Delayed Winter River Travel
Poor ice quality on the Teedriinjik (Chandalar) River
Venetie, Alaska, United States

Dead Murres (Uria aalge)
More reports of dead Murres observed in the Bristol Bay region.
Port Graham, Alaska, United States

Unusually Warm In Northwest Arctic
Above normal temperatures in the Northwest Arctic region
Kivalina, Alaska, United States

Start of January felt like early springtime
The start of January 2016 felt like it was early springtime.
Kwethluk, Alaska, United States

Common murre (Uria aalge) in Anchorage
Murres have had a tough year due likely to the Blob effect of warm water and (potentially) displacement of food resources. Many murres have been reported that are sick or starving.

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)
Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Pez poco común observado en Las Glorias
Estos peces son venenosos y difíciles de ser observados por confundirse muy bien con el ambiente.
La Pitahaya, Sinaloa, Mexico
David Martínez, Evaristo Rojas, Juan Carlos Villasenor-Derbez, Yutzil Lora Cabrera

Grounded Murres (Uria aalge)
Flocks of Common Murres were seen flying overhead, along with dying and grounded birds scampering around the Fish Lake area, just to the southeast foothills of Mount Yealo in the Susitna Valley.
Mount Yealo, Alaska, United States

Common Murre (Uria aalge) Stranding
Wayward Murre
Chistochina, Alaska, United States

Algae Bloom
Appears to be smothering all aquatic plant life.
Gakona, Alaska, United States

Winter Storm Grounds Birds
Winter storm grounds birds along the shores of Iliamna Lake.
Iliamna, Alaska, United States

Dead Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)
Dead sea otter (Enhydra lutris) raises concerns of zoonotic pathogen
Unalaska, Alaska, United States
Chris Price, Nikita Robinson, Melissa Good

Sargassum algae invades the coasts of the Great South of Haiti
For over one year the coasts of the Great South of Haiti, are invaded by an unusual species of algae known as Sargassum or Seaweed. The most affected communities are : St Jean du Sud, Les Cayes, St Louis du Sud, Côtes de fer, Jacmel, Cayes Jacmel...
Saint-Louis du Sud, Sud, Haiti
HaitiLibre.com

Warm Wind with Drizzling Rain
A heatwave in Unalakleet, Alaska.

Thunder & Lightning
Unusual weather event; thunderstorm and fluctuating temperatures

Unseasonably Warm and Rainy
Nome was hit by unseasonably warm temperatures and strong winds.

Good Year for Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus)
Good year for Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta)

Unseasonably Warm
Very warm conditions for this time of year in Southcentral Alaska
Turnagain Arm, Alaska, United States

Warm Storms Bring Winter Melt
At lower elevations, there has been melting, hurricane force winds and rain, which have stripped away the snow and left the trails bare, wet, and icy.

Delayed Freeze-Up
Delayed freeze-up on Lake Iliamna.
Iliamna, Alaska, United States

Migratory Birds In December
Ducks were fly north along shoreline of Kivalina
Kivalina, Alaska, United States

Roses blooming in December in Haida Gwaii

Sea Pens (Pennatulacea), Peanut Worms (Sipuncula) and Sea Cucumbers (P. californicu)
Interesting Marine Invertebrates
Yakutat, Alaska, United States

A plea to take air pollution seriously
After wearing a disposable air pollution mask for two weeks, I am completely disgusted, and scared of the processes that happen in my lungs.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
UB Post

Deformed Blackfish
2/27/15 Deformed blackfish - Tooksook Bay, Alaska, USA
Toksook Bay, Alaska, United States

Dead Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus)
A highly decomposed whale carcass was identified as a gray whale.
St. Paul, Alaska, United States

Dead Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
This is one in a string of dead whale sightings that have been designated as the [2015 Gulf of Alaska Large Whale Unusual Mortality Event From May to mid-August, 30 large whales were reported including 11 fin whales, 14 humpback whales, 1 gray whale and 4 other unidentified large cetaceans.
St. Paul, Alaska, United States

No Sea Ice
South winds blew out most of the sea ice. Going to be bad ice if it refreezes for spring hunt.

February Bees
We have bees in February
Arlene Gunderson, Amy Mack, Ian Williams

Wet Snowgo Race
Warm weather has made for unsafe traveling conditions, including a snowmachine race.

Lighting Strikes
Nome experienced 2 lightning strikes and thunder Monday morning during a snow squall.A

Needle Fish Die-off
2/20/15 Needle fish die-off - Kongiganak, Alaska, USA
Kongiganak, Alaska, United States

DOT says weather likely caused rockslide that closed Seward Highway
DOT spokesperson Shannon McCarthy said the weather this week -- alternately freezing and thawing -- was likely the culprit.
Seward Highway  Alaska, USA

High PSP in Clams
High PSP level in Sand Point, Alaska

Lantern Fish (Stenobrachius leucopsarus)
2/15/15 Lantern fish - Haines, Alaska, USA

Deformed Whitefish (C. nelsonii)
Nice looking whitefish, but had a bulged out eyeball on one side of head.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Victoria Harbour 2: Contaminants in Sediment and Mussels
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Early Plants
1/27/15 Early plants - Klawock, Alaska, USA
Klawock, Alaska, United States

Early earthworm
Earthworm found while cleaning yard
Haines, Alaska, USA

PSP High in Clams
The paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) results for Sand Point, Alaska (butter clams collected 1/5/2015) had PSP toxin levels of 112 micrograms/100 grams.

Squirrel Parka Tail Plants Early
Squirrel parka tail plants early
Togiak, Alaska, United States
Brian Abraham, Aeshia Upton, Gino Graziano

The Last Skiers
The physical poetry of skiing well can make you feel like a spiritual being. It feels like meaning. That's why we teach our kids to ski. Not because we want
Girdwood, Alaska, United States
The Anchorage Press

Record High Temperatures
1-9-15 Record high temperatures - Bethel, Alaska, USA

Thousands of small seabirds wash up on West Coast in die-off mystery
Scientists are trying to determine why thousands of tiny seabirds called Cassin's auklets have washed up on the West Coast, all the way from B.C. to California.
Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park

Pine grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)
Pine grosbeak

Never below 0 in 2014
Anchorage Alaska.

Anchorage Sets New Temperature Record
The city of Anchorage can claim a new record. The city did not see a temperature drop below zero for the entire year of 2014. The last time Anchorage residents saw a below zero reading was December 26, 2013.

Coastal Erosion
Weekend storm eroded the face of the sea wall.
Togiak, Alaska, United States

Bethel Receives an Unusual Winter Visitor – A Robin
A rare winter robin has been spotted in Bethel and it has folks wondering what exactly it means. Locals and a biologist say they think it has to do with climate change.

Unseasonably Warm Weather
We used to be able to go ice fishing in the lagoon as well as ice skating. Now community members are using a net to get the tomcods.
Nanwalek, Alaska, USA

Light on snow, high on risk, Turnagain Pass stays closed to snowmachiners
More than two weeks after the area typically opens for snowmachiners, the pass remained closed Tuesday as lower elevations continued to see below-average snow levels.
Turnagain Pass, Alaska, United States

Late Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
12-31-15 Late coho salmon - Klawock, Alaska, USA
Klawock, Alaska, United States

No Sea Ice Yet
By this time of the year, we usually have 2-3 miles of shore-fast ice that sticks to our beach. We as a village have not done our winter harvest of seals and walrus, and we are worried that we will not be able to bowhead whale hunt.
Wales, Alaska, United States

Whitefish (C. nelsonii) has Brown Skin
Fish had a brownish moldy growth all over its body.

High PSP in Clams
High PSP in clams

Ocean acidity wipes out 10 million scallops near Qualicum Beach
Ten million scallops that have died in the waters near Qualicum Beach due to rising ocean acidity are the latest victims in a series of marine die-offs that have plagued the West Coast for 10 years. . .
Island Scallops Ltd., Vancouver Island, Canada
Times Colonist

Seasonal Change
2-25-14 Seasonal change - Nightmute, Alalska, USA
Nightmute, Alaska, USA

Climate Change Threatens the Future of the Winter Olympics
By mid century, past Olympic venues like Squaw Valley, California; Oslo, Norway; Chamonix, France; and—of course—Sochi, will be too warm to ever host the Winter Games again.
Sochi, Krasnodarskiy, Russia
National Geographic

Very Little Snow
2-20-14 Very little snow - Bethel, Alaska, USA

Windy, No Snow
2-17-14 Windy, no snow - Wasilla, Alaska, USA
Wasilla, Alaska, United States

Needle Fish with Lesions
Needle fish with lesions observed.
Chefornak, Alaska, United States

Early Fur Seals
This winter has been especially mild in the central Bering Sea and this is the earliest recorded fur seal on St. George Island ever.
St. George, Alaska, USA

Evidence of Sea Star Wasting Disease
Laguna Beach, California, United States

High PSP Levels in Clams
High PSP levels in clams near the end of the Aleutian Peninsula, Alaska.

Dust, lack of snow conspire for poor air
Increasing winds may drive the air quality to become "unhealthy to hazardous," said a statement from Eileen Probasco, planning director with the Matanuska-Sustina Borough.

Heavy Rains and Flooding
Heavy rains and flooding.

Winter Break-up
Copper River largely open.
Cordova, Alaska, United States

Open Lake Water
1-28-14 Open lake water - Aleknagik, Alaska, USA
Aleknagik, Alaska, USA

Where is the Snow?
1-27-14 Where is the snow - St. Mary's Alaska, USA
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Heavy Sea Ice
Heavy sea ice observed in southeast Alaska.

Bad Ice Disrupts Subsistence
1-26-14 Ice disrupts subsistence - Unalakleet, Alaska, USA

Dog ticks burrow into Alaska, plan to stay
Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen, the sole veterinarian with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, has investigated 48 tick infestations in the past three years. She’s found evidence that two exotic species are established and reproducing in Alaska.

Lack of Snow
1-24-14 Lake of snow - Nanwalek, Alaska, USA
Nanwalek, Alaska, United States

Willows Budding in Winter
1-24-14 Winter plants blooming - Bethel, Alaska, USA

Coyote sighting
1-23-14 Coyote sighting - Shaktoolik, Alaska, USA
Shaktoolik, Alaska, USA

Mt. Alyeska closes due to unseasonable weather
Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood will not open for skiers and snowboarders Tuesday because of unseasonably warm temperatures and severe weather, according to a post on the resort's Facebook page.
Girdwood, Alaska, United States

Finally snow - then rain
1-20-14 Snow then rain - Shaktoolik, Alaska, USA
Shaktoolik, Alaska, USA

High winds, rain, flooding in Anchorage
A band of wet, warm weather barreled into Southcentral Alaska on Friday and stirred up an odd blend of high winds, slushy roads and even rainbow sightings.

Loss of Fuel Header Due to Coastal Erosion
Fuel headers leading to bulk fuel farm out of service due to coastal erosion.

No Sea Ice
No sea ice alone the northside of the Alaska Peninsula.

Where is the Snow?
1-3-14 Where is the snow - Solomon, Alaska, USA
Solomon, Alaska, United States

Dead Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)
Dead walrus observed while assessing for coastal erosion.
Port Heiden. Alaska, United States

Wind Blew Out the Ice
12-19-13 Wind blew out the ice - Elim, Alaska, USA
Elim, Alaska, United States

With warm December winds, shaken faith in Arctic weather
Folks here are famous for being able to handle the cold, but anything wet in December has always made us nervous. Especially wet falling from the sky. Lately, weather, our favorite nemesis, has broken the rules. Our confidence in the most-trustworthy feature of the Arctic -- winter -- has been wounded.

Unusually Warm
Unusually warm weather in Port Heiden.

Unseasonal Warm Winter
12-7-13 Unseasonably warm weather - Quinhagak, Alaska USA
Quinhagak, Alaska, United States

Unusual winter flooding of Anchorage homes
Chester Creek overflowed its banks Tuesday, sending cold water into the basements and crawl spaces of a handful of homes near Valley of the Moon Park.

Vermonts bumble bee populations declining
Three of the 15 bumble bee species found in Vermont are thought to be extinct and at least one other species is in decline.
Norwich, Vermont, United States
VTDigger

Many Wolf (Canis lubus) Sightings
2-2-13 Many wolf sightings - Togiak, Alaska, USA
Togiak, Alaska, USA

Winter Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
Black bears are not normally seen during this time of the year.

Wolf (Canis lupus) Sighting Causes Concern
St. Marys residents concerned about possible interactions
St. Marys, Alaska, USA

Winter Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
1-17-13 Winter brown bear - St Marys, Alaska, USA
St. Marys, Alaska, United States

Creeks Choked by Ice
There is a lot of overflow and flooding happening in Anchorage area streams, as a result of the recent record rain fall.

Avalanche closes road
The avalanche north of Girdwood affected three lanes of traffic for several hours. Delays are expected Tuesday morning as crews attempt to thwart additional slides.
Girdwood, Alaska, United States

Drivers battle wet, icy roads and floods
Much of the state became one heck of an ice rink over the weekend, with temperatures spiking into the 40s in much of Southcentral Alaska and thawing reported as far north as Fairbanks.
Alaska Dispatch

Winter Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
A rare sighting to observe a brown bear in January.
Port Heiden Alaska, United States

Bearded seal
Niigata, Niigata, Japan

Ringed Seal
Ōfunato, Iwate, Japan

Poor Sea Ice Changes Hunt
Lack of sea ice affects seal hunting.

Lots of Earthquakes
Increasing number of seismic events.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

Windy winter good for wind generation
Fire Island is producing more than expected for this time of year according to Ethan Schutt, senior vice president of land and development for Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) the Alaska Native corporation that operates the wind farm. So far about 17,000 megawatt hours have been produced, enough to power roughly 6,500 Southcentral homes each month.
Alaska Dispatch

Trapped on Sea Ice
A snowmachiner was trapped on the quickly moving floe and he was rescued later by a helicopter.

Weather Shifting Sea Ice Flow
Unusual weather patterns are pushing the sea ice away from the coast.

Freezing Waterlines
12-21-12 Freezing waterlines - Evansville, Alaska, USA
Evansville, Alaska, United States

Jumbo Flying Squid Pile Up On Calif. Beach
Rio Del Mar, California, United States
ABC News

Hundreds of Humboldt squid wash up on Aptos area beaches
Rio Del Mar, California, United States
Santa Cruz Sentinel

Water Shortage
12-6-12 Water shortage - Nanwalek, Alaska, USA
Nanwalek, Alaska, United States

Ringed seal
Abashiri, Hokkaido, Japan

Pressure ice ridges
2-22-12 Pressure ice ridges "Vuneqs" - Kwigillingok, Alaska, USA
Kwigillingok, Alaska, USA

Square-legged Camel Cricket (Tropidischia xanthostoma)
We found an unusual looking spider or insect.
Klawock, Alaska, United States

Bearded seal
Tayport, Scotland, United Kingdom

Spotted seal
Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan

Spotted seal
Funabashi, Chiba, Japan

Ribbon seal
Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan

Late Freeze-up
Late freeze-up of sea ice along the shoreline
Elim, Alaska, United States

Anchorage Residents Push for Water Protections in Title 21
I was home with my kids. They were on Christmas break. And I went to turn on the faucet in the morning to get things ready for breakfast and air came out of the faucet Glottfelty said. The water started flowing normally again after a few days. But after asking around the neighborhood, Glottfelty found out that many of her neighbors, connected to the same aquifer as a nearby church well had similar problems that day – in all, six wells were drained, she says, and one went permanently dry.

Seals are shedding
Arviat, Nunavut

Ringed Seals (Phoca hispida) & Spotted Seals (Phoca largha)
Anadyr, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia

Ringed seals
Anadyr, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia

Dead Seals
Sanikiluaq, Nunavut

Cyanobacteria bloom under lake ice
Cyanobacteria blooms usually occur in summer.
Smithers, British Columbia, Canada

First Elephant Seal Born at Race Rocks
Ryan has observed a lot of aggression on the part of the young male which had previously been named Misery by Mike Slater. The baby was born beside the helicopter pad, and has spent the first day t…
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve- Marine mammals, seabirds

Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) swallowing sand and pebbles
I observed some of the sea lions scooping up small rocks and sand (mostly shell carbonates) and swallowing them.
Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada

Potentially toxic algae blooms hit Interior B.C. lakes
Some residents in B.C.'s Central Interior are being told to avoid drinking or bathing in their tap water following an outbreak of potentially toxic algae blooms.
Tashick Lake, Vanderhoof, BC

Worst blizzard in years blasts Saskatchewan
Blizzard conditions paralyzed Saskatoon and many other communities Wednesday as a fierce storm scoured the central part of the province, closing roads, airports and schools.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Startling starling numbers appear in bird count
Local birders who participated in the recent 2005 Anchorage Christmas Bird Count noted a sharp increase in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), a sometimes aggressive species that's relatively new to Alaska.

Se observó una ballena gris albina
Laguna Ojo de Liebre, Baja California Sur
Reserva de la Biósfera El Vizcaíno Guerrero Negro

California Sea Lions Venture North: Arctic Science Journeys Radio
That's right, California sea lions. As populations of native Steller sea lions decline, Maniscalco says a growing number of California sea lions are showing up on Steller sea lion rookeries and haul-outs across the state. According to his research, some 33 sightings have been recorded. And some of those California sea lions have made their way as far west as the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea.
Pribilof Islands, Bering Sea, United States
Arctic Science Journeys Radio
Doug Schneider, Alaska Sea Grant Program, UAF

New England Drought
New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein reports the northeastern U.S. is experiencing one of the worst droughts in decades. New, deeper wells are in demand even though they cost thousands of dollars to drill. About 40 percent of New Hampshire residents get their water from private wells. Snow might replenish some of the wells, but water doesn't permeate frozen ground.
Concord, New Hampshire, United States
NPR.org

Basking Sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) Return to Monterey Bay
Moss Landing, California, United States

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