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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

Removing Ice with Hammers Outside Laxå to Allow Trains to Run Again
Train services between Stockholm and Gothenburg are disrupted due to ice on the contact wires in Laxå. Workers are manually removing ice, which is causing extended delays.
Laxå, Örebro, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Black Sea Oil Spill Spreads to Beaches in Annexed Crimea
Oil from damaged Russian tankers has contaminated beaches in Crimea, with significant environmental cleanup efforts underway.
Crimea, Russia
The Moscow Times

Storm wind left part of the village of Rytkuchi without electricity
A severe storm in Rytkuchi, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia, left 25 apartments without electricity, with wind speeds reaching 50 meters per second, causing significant disruption and damage.
Rytkuchi, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Chukotka

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

Trains cancelled as temperatures hit -44 in northern Sweden
Extreme cold has hit the north of Sweden, with temperatures reaching lower than -40 degrees Celsius in some areas.On Tuesday, train company VY announced that all departures north of Umeå were cancelled until Thursday for safety reasons, due to the cold weather.
Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden

After icy record last week, Kvikkjokk is now Sweden's warmest place
Kvikkjokk was the coldest place in Sweden last Wednesday at with a temperature reaching as low as -43.6 degrees Celsius. But warm northwesterly winds increased the temperatures by about 40 degrees in a matter of hours.
Kvikkjokk, Norrbotten, Sweden

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

Mild winter draws first migratory birds back
Early sightings of migratory birds in southwest Finland, including bean and greylag geese, suggest milder winter conditions and highlight the impact of climate change on traditional migratory patterns.
Parainen, Southwest Finland, Finland
Yle News

Beaufort Sea ice cuts fiber-optic cable, limiting internet for about 20,000 residents of Northwest Alaska through summer
Shifting sea ice patterns resulting from climate change are imperiling the subsea cable in ways the company did not plan for.The subsea cable is owned by Quintillion but affects companies delivering internet access to residents, schools and local governments.
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

The roofs of three apartment buildings were partially torn off by a storm in the Chukotka village of Lorino
A severe storm in Lorino, Russia, partially tore roofs off three apartment buildings, highlighting unusual weather patterns in the region.
Lorino, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
Prochukotku.ru

Snow chaos has trapped drivers on E22 – since yesterday
After Wednesday's heavy snowfall, around a thousand cars have been at a standstill on the E22 highway in Skåne since last evening.Police and emergency services encourage those stuck to remain in their vehicles and wait for help.
Malmö, Skåne, Sweden

We've been shoveling snow for over three hours
Several Agder municipalities, including Grimstad, have closed schools for the week due to heavy snowfall, with Sivilforsvaret assisting home services and residents shoveling to maintain access.
Grimstad, Agder, Norway
NRK

Body of 12-year-old avalanche victim recovered in Finnish Lapland
A mother and child lost their lives in an avalanche on Tuesday while skiing at Pallastunturi in northwestern Finnish Lapland.
Korsnäs, Ostrobothnia, Finland
News

2 found dead in vehicle on Steese Highway near Eagle Summit
Two individuals were found deceased in a vehicle on Steese Highway, with recovery delayed by severe weather; no foul play is suspected.
Steese Highway, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

El Niño effects around Great Slave Lake made for 'spring-like' December in Łútsël K'é, N.W.T.
El Nino and climate change led to an unusually warm December in Łutsël, N.W.T., affecting Christmas plans and ice-related activities due to Great Slave Lake not freezing over as expected.
Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

Rural Chugach Electric customers deal with 'excessive' winter outages
Chugach Electric acknowledges the high frequency of winter power outages in Cooper Landing and Moose Pass, attributing them to heavy snowfall and considering solutions like local maintenance crews.
Moose Pass, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Grindavík eruptions
The Grindavík eruptions began on January 13, 2024, in the Southern Peninsula of Iceland.
Grindavík, Southern Peninsula, Iceland
RÚV

Storm leaves behind 29.3” of snow at airport, avalanche hazards, closed schools and state offices
A severe storm in Juneau resulted in 29.3 inches of snow at the airport, causing avalanches, road closures, and the shutdown of schools and state offices.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Winter storms bring deep snow, high winds and delays to Nome
A series of winter storms hit Nome with deep snow and high winds, causing school closures, flight cancellations, and significant snow removal challenges.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Lingering storm may dump more than two feet of snow; avalanche, other warnings issued
Snowfall totals for the 24-hour period ending at about noon Monday were 10.4 inches at Juneau International Airport. Rain is forecast from Tuesday night through at least next Monday as temperatures hover between the mid-30s and about 40, according to NWS Juneau.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Arrival of heavy rain means risk for structures, boats and avalanches even higher after record snow
Heavy rain forecasted after record snowfall in Juneau increases risks of structural damage, boat sinkings, and avalanches, prompting officials to urge residents to clear drains and snow from properties and vessels.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

'Yo-yo kind of weather' hits southern Yukon with rain, slush and flooded streets
Winter has taken a brief holiday in southern Yukon this week, with a sudden spell of spring-like weather making for wet, slushy conditions — and setting the stage for some slippery roads when winter conditions return later this week.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Freezing rain warning issued in Yellowknife during a mild late January
Yellowknife encountered unusual weather with freezing rain and temperatures around -1°C, despite average late January temperatures being around -20°C.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

2 Anchorage commercial roof collapses reported in 2 days
Both buildings were occupied during the collapses but everyone got out safely and no injuries were reported, according to Anchorage Fire Department spokeswoman Lexi Trainer.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

No other polar bears in Kuujjuaq after Tuesday’s incident, police say
Police confirm no further polar bear sightings in Kuujjuaq following the shooting of a young bear in the town center, with ongoing vigilance for potential wildlife threats.
Kuujjuaq, Quebec, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

No white Christmas for Nome and the region
Nome experienced an unusual snowless Christmas despite not having a dry December, with rain replacing snow and creating icy conditions that hinder traditional winter activities and local events.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

High winds, temps cause outages, flooding in Southcentral Alaska
Unusually high winds and temperatures in Southcentral Alaska have caused power outages, flooding, and landslides, with gusts reaching up to 100 mph and prompting closures and warnings across the region.

Slippery Monday Across Much of the Country
A sudden change in weather has resulted in challenging driving conditions across Norway, with red warnings issued for parts of the country due to the risk of avalanches and other hazards.
Norway
NRK

Kuskokwim 300 delayed 2 weeks due to low snow and warm temperatures
The 2025 Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race has been delayed by two weeks due to unusually low snowfall and warm temperatures, making it difficult to ensure safe trail conditions. This extended delay is rare in the race's 46-year history, typically only postponed for a day or two.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

The Iditarod is evaluating alternate race routes because of poor trail conditions
Organizers say they will determine by Feb. 3 whether it’s feasible to run the traditional southern route.
Nome, Alaska, United States

Bird flu cases in Northern Ireland spur setting up of prevention zone
Northern Ireland has announced an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone after bird flu was detected in several wild birds, imposing strict biosecurity measures on bird-keepers.
Dungannon, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
The Irish Times

Silent Winter - An Absence of Songbirds
Puzzling on what happened to the songbirds this winter. Could this be attributed to food shortages, invasives species...avian illness? The decline should be giving everyone pause.

A Winter Wind Machine
The wind storms have been rolling in off the North Pacific, one after another. It is the windest winter and conditions I can recall in my years in Anchorage.

Three foxes test positive for rabies in Hooper Bay
Three foxes in Hooper Bay have tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to urge pet owners to vaccinate their animals and stay alert for signs of the disease.
Hooper Bay, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Hatcher Pass Road closed at mile 14 due to high avalanche danger
Hatcher Pass Road is closed at mile 14 due to high avalanche danger from heavy wet snow, with closures expected to last into the weekend, affecting snowmachining trails and Hatcher Pass Lodge.
Hatcher Pass, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

Low snowpack, heavy precipitation for Y-K Delta so far this year
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is experiencing unusually low snowpack and heavy rainfall, with temperatures significantly above normal for January, raising concerns about potential impacts such as increased wildfire risk and infrastructure challenges.
Bethel, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Rain leads to hazardous road conditions across Fairbanks
Warm temperatures and rain have created hazardous road conditions in Fairbanks, leading to collisions and travel disruptions.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Avalanche closes Parks Highway near Denali National Park
An avalanche has closed mile 219 of the Parks Highway near Denali National Park, impacting 400 feet of the road and halting traffic, with high avalanche danger expected to persist due to strong winds and rising snow levels.
Denali National Park, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

Rare upper Kuskokwim quake makes waves across region
A rare magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck the upper Kuskokwim region on January 29, 2025, startling residents in communities like McGrath and Kalskag, though no significant damage was reported.
McGrath, Alaska, United States
KYUK

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