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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

1 person killed in Ketchikan landslide, multiple homes destroyed
A landslide in Ketchikan resulted in one fatality, multiple destroyed homes, and ongoing emergency responses, following heavy rainfall.
Ketchikan, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Fish and Game searching for wolf that bit 2 people on Dalton Highway
Alaska Fish and Game officials are searching for a rare, potentially rabid wolf that unexpectedly attacked two people on the Dalton Highway.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Third consecutive Bering Sea storm touches down on Alaska's west coast
Meteorologists say the brunt of the storm is likely headed for the southern edge of the Seward Peninsula.
Nome, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Melting Starfish
Starfish wasting observed in Kassan for the first time in several years.
Kasaan, Alaska, United States

Interior sees record temperatures as former typhoon approaches Alaska
Some temperatures in the eastern Interior hit 90 degrees Sunday, as ex-Typhoon Ampil moves toward Western Alaska this week.
Eagle, Alaska, United States

“Huge disaster”: Historically weak pink salmon runs strain Alaska’s seine fishermen
Skippers in Prince William Sound and Kodiak say this year's pink harvest is one of the worst they’ve ever seen. “I wake up every morning and I try to apply for a different job," one said.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Northern Journal

Heatwave hits Nunavut with ‘astounding’ temperatures
A heatwave is hitting Kitikmeot and Kivalliq communities this week bringing temperatures above 30 C (86 F), twice as high as the average temperature for these regions at this time of year.
Baker Lake, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Employee killed by polar bears at remote worksite off Baffin Island, company says
A worker with a logistics company that operates the North Warning System in Nunavut has died after being attacked by two polar bears on Thursday.
Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada
CBC

Record-breaking rain drenches Anchorage, triggering road closures and a flood advisory
Anchorage experiences unprecedented rainfall, leading to road closures and flood advisories due to overflowing creeks and waterlogged streets.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Sea gulls on the beach not moving
Observers report unusual sea gull lethargy and die-offs on area beaches.
Brevig Mission, Alaska, United States

Alaska's North Slope sees record-breaking heat, among state's other climate oddities
Alaska's North Slope experienced unprecedented heat with temperatures nearing 90 degrees, alongside the state's wettest July and other climate impacts.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States

Juneau glacial outburst flooding begins; Mendenhall Lake and River set to hit near-record levels
Minor flood stage will begin Monday morning, with flood water expected to crest sometime early Tuesday.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
KTOO

Seagull die offs reported in several Chukotka communities
Dead seagulls were found near five coastal villages of the district - Ryrkaipia, Nutepelmena, Lorino, Lavrentiya and Enurmino. The largest number of dead birds were found near the village of Ryrkaipiy in the Egvekinot municipality. Local residents reported that there were several dozen Eastern Siberian gulls on the shore and ice floes.
Chukotka , Russia

The first case of a walrus dying of bird flu registered on Svalbard
“Last year we got several reports from tourists and scientists that they saw around six walruses dead here on the west side of Svalbard. Unfortunately, we couldn’t sample them as the dead walruses drifted away by the time we got to the place. But it’s not normal to get so many reported dead walruses in such a small area," said Christian Lydersen, senior scientist at the Norwegian Polar Institute. Now samples (collected by a Station Manager in July 2023) have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
The Independent Barents Observer

2 Dead After Dam Collapses in Northwestern Russia
Two people were killed after a torrent of water poured over a cofferdam in northwestern Russia early Monday and flooded the surrounding area, authorities said.
Надвоицы, Сегежский район, Karelia, Russia
The Moscow Times

Snakes appear in the Russian north as the Arctic warms
Climate change has led to sightings of species like the European adder, spiders, and herons beyond their typical range in the Russian Arctic.
Taimyr, Central Siberia
ArcticToday

Landslide forces closure of section South Klondike Highway north of the U.S. border
A landslide caused by heavy rains has shut down the South Klondike Highway, affecting travelers and requiring officials to coordinate an alternative route for stranded cruise passengers.
Carcross, Yukon, Canada
Juneau Empire

Another polar bear shot in Ittoqqortoormiit
A polar bear was shot in Ittoqqortoormiit after being spotted wandering the streets, marking the second such incident in the town within a week.
Ittoqqortoormiit, Sermersooq, Greenland
Sermitsiaq

Reports of dying voles in Kotzebue area
These small rodents are a key part of the Northwest Arctic ecosystem.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

Svalbard had warmest June on record
Longyearbyen airport had an average temperature of 6.1°C, which is 2.5°C above normal. Global air and sea surface temperatures were also at record levels.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
The Independent Barents Observer

Most of the red salmon were carrying worms
From the images shared, these appear to be *Philemona*, a freshwater parasite. *Philomena* is a food quality concern but is *Not* considered a human health concern. With proper preparation, the salmon is safe to eat.
Kenai, Alaska, United States

'Strange' bald eagle attacks at Kodiak harbor cause multiple injuries
Unusual aggressive bald eagle behavior, not linked to nest protection, leads to multiple injuries at Kodiak harbor, possibly due to eagles being fed by people.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States

Arctic air brings historically cold July temperatures to Bethel
Bethel, Alaska, experienced historically low July temperatures with highs in the 40s, a rare event not seen since 1971, due to an unusual cold air outbreak from the Arctic.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Downtown Juneau apartment building evacuated following landslide
A landslide in Juneau, Alaska, prompted the evacuation of an apartment building, with no injuries reported but further slides expected due to heavy rain.
Juneau, Alaska, United States

Record June temperatures and heavy rainfall in northern Finland
Northern Finland experienced unprecedented June temperatures and abnormal rainfall, deviating significantly from historical weather patterns.
Finland
The Independent Barents Observer

B.C. wildfires: Number of blazes jumps to 130 as heat wave creates prime fire conditions
The B.C. Wildfire Service says the cold front in northern B.C. is expected to generate strong winds, thunderstorms and the potential for dry lightning in the region plagued by drought.
British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Black-legged kittiwakes dying in Kotzebue Sound area
A couple of weeks ago I spotted a small gull on the second bridge behind Kotzebue. The bird wouldn't fly and was walking slowly.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States

B.C. weather: 149-year-old temperature record broken amid heat wave
British Columbia experienced a historic heat wave, breaking 34 additional temperature records, some over a century old, with more heat anticipated in the interior regions.
British Columbia, Canada
CVT News Vancouver

More people have been infected with Lyme disease
Norway reports a record high of 175 Lyme disease cases from January to June 2024, with uncertain causes attributed to weather conditions and increased tick awareness.
Norway
NRK

Warmest June on Record
Temperatures in Finland last month were between 1.5 and 3.5 degrees Celsius warmer than normal in most parts of the country.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
News

2 more seals admitted to SeaLife Center
Two harbor seal pups, one from Naknek and another from Wrangell, were recently rescued and are receiving care at the Alaska SeaLife Center due to malnourishment and other health issues.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Homer News

Summer Heatwave Sweeps Russia, Breaking Dozens of Temperature Records
Around 40 daily temperature records were broken across Russia and annexed Crimea on Tuesday as hot summer weather gripped the country. The unprecedented temperatures have engulfed Russia from its central regions to the Far East, reaching a maximum of 38.7 degrees Celsius in the village of Mamakan in southeastern Siberia’s Irkutsk region.
Mamakan, Irkutsk, Russia
The Moscow Times

Crow exibiting unusual behavior
The crow was on the beach hiding near a driftwood stump and was unable to fly and struggled to walk. These are signs associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) also commonly referred to as "bird flu". See video.
Whittier, Alaska, United States

Wildfire near Elliot Highway prompts 'Go' evacuation order
A fast-moving wildfire near Elliot Highway in Fairbanks, Alaska, has led to a Level 3 evacuation order for residents, with the fire rapidly growing to over a thousand acres.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Black bear shot dead while trying to get into tent near Portage campgrounds
A black bear was fatally shot by federal officials after attempting to break into an occupied tent near Portage campgrounds in Alaska, following a recent similar incident that injured a woman.
Portage Creek, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

More than three tons of salmon were caught by fishermen in Chukotka
Cold spring and summer affected the results of salmon production in the district. Fishermen in the region caught more than three tons of salmon - this is several times less than in previous years, according to IA "Chukotka".
Khatyrka, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia

Far East Russia’s Sakha Declares Wildfire Emergency
Sakha is now the fourth region in the Far East where a state of emergency is currently in place due to wildfires. The other three are the Zabaykalsky and Amur regions, as well as the republic of Buryatia. Russia’s wildfire season officially began in early March. By mid-April, regions in the Far East recorded nearly twice as many fires as they had during the same period last year, with most blazes caused by human negligence.
Yakutsk, Sakha, Russia
The Moscow Times

2nd seal pup rescued in Kenai, ASLC now caring for 4
A second seal pup has been rescued on Kenai Beach, marking the fourth such case for the Alaska SeaLife Center's Wildlife Response Program.
Kenai, Alaska, United States
Homer News

Mountain lion killed on island; first Southeast sighting since 1998
A mountain lion was shot on Wrangell Island, marking the first sighting in Southeast Alaska since 1998, prompting an investigation by local authorities.
Wrangell, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Sea Gull Numbers are Extremely Low
Observers in Port Heiden, Alaska report significantly reduced sea gull populations and fewer gull eggs for subsistence, coinciding with decreased seal numbers and increased fox populations.
Port Heiden, Alaska, United States

May was record warm and dry
May was also exceptionally dry in many areas. According to the FMI, Savukoski, a village in eastern Lapland, recorded the most rainfall last month with 59.4 millimeters.
Finland
News

First ever subsistence fishery closure at Port Clarence causes hardship at Teller, Brevig
After experiencing an unprecedented closure of subsistence salmon fishing, the Port Clarence district, including Teller and Brevig Mission, is now open for fishing.
Teller, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

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