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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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Lake Mjøsa overflows with round bales
The water has gone over the dam. Skjeggestad Kleven guesses that the water is 40-50 cm higher than during the flood in 1995.Gudbrandsdalslågen has brought large "tractor eggs" (hay bales) out into Lake Mjøsa. Now farmers are being criticised on social media for not securing adequately.
Ringebu, Innlandet, Norway
NRK

Strange orange deposit on beach and waters of Kotzebue Sound
Out commercial fishing on the water in the inter Kotzebue Sound the weather was calm and there were miles and miles of a strange floating orange layer on the surface.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Dean Stockwell, Jacqualine Schaeffer, Dean Stockwell, Derek Sikes, Gay Sheffield, Sarah Yoder

July was Utqiaġvik’s warmest month in the past century
The average temperature in July was 48.4 degrees — 6.7 degrees above normal, with 11 hot days in a row. Such extreme warmth can accelerate the greening and permafrost thaw on the North Slope.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

The evacuees in Hønefoss must be prepared to be away from their homes for several days
Storelva in Hønefoss continues to rise. The municipality is now evacuating several new residents for fear that homes will be taken by the water.
Braskereidfoss, Hedmark, Norway
NRK

Norway: Mobile home washes away after severe flooding from Storm Hans
A mobile home washed away in severe flooding after Storm Hans hit Hemsedal, Norway, on Tuesday, 8 August. The extreme weather has battered parts of Scandinavia and the Baltics for several days. Rivers have overflown, roads have been damaged and people have been injured by falling branches.
Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway
The Independent

Rare thunder and lightning over Mosfellsbær
Stormy conditions in the southwestern and western parts of the country saw residents experiencing thunder and lightning yesterday. Eysteinn Örn Stefánsson captured a video of lightning that struck Mosfellsbær, which can be seen in the player above.
Mosfellsbær, Capital Region, Iceland
RÚV

More than 271 structures impacted by Lahaina fire
More than 271 structures have been impacted by the Lahaina fire, the U.S. Civil Air Patrol and Maui Fire Department reported after flyovers of Lahaina town on Wednesday..
Lahaina, Hawaii, United States
mauinews.com

Storm Hans causes power cuts in Finland
Southern parts of the country can expect showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday, with more severe storms possibly hitting central areas by evening.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
News

Wildfire smoke, climate change affecting N.W.T. berry pickers and their harvest
Cathy Pope, a berry picker from Norman Wells, N.W.T., said there has been an abundance of blueberries this year, and that she's "never seen it like this." Despite the ample availability of fruit, thick wildfire smoke — some of the worst in the country, at times — has made it hard for Pope to go out and pick.
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

Sweden braces for heavy rain and flooding from Storm Hans
Storm 'Hans' is sweeping into Sweden, causing problems for roads, flights, ferries, railways, and traffic on the Öresund bridge.The Swedish Weather Service, ...
Malmö, Skåne, Sweden

Record flooding from Suicide Basin destroys one home, swamps others and cuts off access
A home collapses into the Mendenhall River on Saturday due to a record amount of flooding from Suicide Basin since an annual cycle of water release began there in 2011. Officials said nobody was injured when the house collapsed, but other structures along the riverbank are at risk. (Screenshot from video by Sam Nolan).
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Baby walrus, rescued from Arctic tundra, receives 24-hour cuddle care at Alaska SeaLife Center
A wayward walrus calf, just one month old, was rescued from the North Slope. Workers on the North Slope spotted the baby walrus on tundra, about four miles inland from the Beaufort Sea.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Harmful algae bloom detected in Bering Strait waters
High concentrations of harmful algae called Alexandrium catenella have been detected in the Bering Strait waters near St. Lawrence Island, Wales, and Little Diomede, posing a potential danger to human health and urging caution when consuming certain seafood.
Bering Straits, Alaska
The Nome Nugget

A temporary ban on salmon fishing was introduced in Chukotka
A temporary ban on all salmon fishing has been implemented in Chukotka, Russia due to declining salmon populations.
Anadyr, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia
Prochukotku.ru

Black bear in tree for 24 hours
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Smaller salmon and slower returns
The sockeye salmon are coming back smaller for the Newhalen River and Iliamna Lake, plus not a thick as they once did when I was younger.
Newhalen, Alaska, United States

Insect on cloud berries
Is the abundance of insects unusual? Updates from around the state with picking and weather impacts.
Trapper Creek, Alaska, United States

Salmonberries are a month late
"We usually pick salmon berries in early July."
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States
Mike Brubaker, Katie Spellman, Stephen Payton

Dead beluga whales and walruses washed ashore in the estuary near the capital of Chukotka
Dead beluga whales and walruses have been found washed ashore in the estuary near the capital of Chukotka, with the cause of death currently unknown.
Anadyr, Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia

Anchorage police kill black bear that was charging people in neighborhoods near Baxter and Northern Lights
Anchorage police killed a black bear that was charging people in neighborhoods near Northern Lights Boulevard and Baxter Road on Sunday night.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

What's making the water yellow in Kasitsna Bay?
Discoloration of water in bay. Is this an algal bloom?
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States
Mike Brubaker, Kris Holderied, Stephen Payton

There was a blue-green algae bloom in Yellowknife Bay. Here's what you should know about it
A blue-green algae bloom in Yellowknife Bay sparked worry for people's dogs. Here's what an aquatic quality scientist and a veterinarian have to say about it.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

Warm temps and wind fan Interior fires
An evacuation alert was also issued Friday for residents of the Lower Salcha River, from river mile 3 to 40. The Middle Salcha remains under a SET status, from river
Salcha, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

In the absence of fireweed
A 24-hour, 245 mile survey of fireweed plants from Anchorage to Seldovia revealed an almost complete absence of flowering.
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States

Calm but overwhelmed: wildfire evacuees from Behchokǫ̀ start to arrive in Yellowknife
Behchokǫ̀, a community of about 2,000 people northwest of Yellowknife, issued an evacuation order shortly before 6 p.m Monday evening. A wildfire is burning about 25 kilometres to the east of the Behchokǫ̀, and 45 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife.
Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

In hot water: South Florida ocean tops 100 degrees; could be world record
A buoy in Manatee Bay, about 40 miles south of Miami, posted a temperature of 101.1 degrees at 6 p.m. after a morning low of 91 degrees. Temperatures remained at or above 100 from 5 p.m. through late evening. For comparison, the “ideal” temperature of a hot tub is 100 to 102 degrees, according to jacuzzi.com.
Miami, Florida, United States
Washington Post

Haze from Canada wildfires coming to Southcentral Alaska this week
The smoke is from numerous wildfires burning in Canada’s Yukon Territory.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Chris Klint, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Scientists say Tongass trees could bounce back from budworm infestation
Scientists with the U.S. Forest Service believe that the blackheaded budworm, whose numbers surged over the past three years, is now in decline.
Chichigof Islands
Alaska Public Media

Woman found dead in apparent bear encounter outside of Yellowstone National Park
The woman's body was found about eight miles outside the town of West Yellowstone, Mont., a gateway community that borders Yellowstone National Park.
West Yellowstone, Montana, United States
Boise State Public Radio

Phoenix summer heat keeps breaking records
Phoenix's blistering July heat wave has broken multiple records. There's little relief in sight, according to the National Weather Service. Every single day so far in the month of July, the high temperature — as recorded by the National Weather Service at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport — has been 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Phoenix New Times

What is the reason for large numbers of dead bees spotted in Inverness?
The spectacle of "hundreds" of dying or dead bees along the River Ness earlier this week led to a discussion on social media.
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

Humpback whale nearly knocks paddler off board near Whittier
Stand up paddle boarder near miss with humpback whale in Prince William Sound.
Whittier, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Bluefin tuna washes up far from home in Salish Sea
Joe Gaydos found a bluefin tuna washed up on Orcas Island off the coast of Washington state. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the fish usually roam the more temperate waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Crescent Beach, Orcas Island, Washington, USA

Finland's bilberry harvests mediocre at best, nature institute forecasts
Frost exposure and poor pollination are behind expectations for a less than ideal season, according to research institute Luke. Bilberry patches at particular risk are in the regions of South Karelia, Kainuu, Keminmaa, Ylitornio, as well as certain areas of Central and South Ostrobothnia.
Lappeenranta, South Karelia, Finland
News

Catalonia Hits Record High Temperatures Amidst Heat Wave
Historical heat records shattered as temperatures soar above 45°C, prompting government precautions.
Darnius, Catalonia, Spain
Zenger News

79 wildfires burning in northern Quebec, 11 out of control
Wildfires are still burning in Quebec's northern zone, with 11 fires still considered out of control early Tuesday morning. However, the provincial forest fire prevention agency, SOPFEU, said rain since Sunday and rising humidity have helped stabilize the flames for the time being.
Chibougamau, Quebec, Canada
Montreal

Influenza found in pigs at Oakland County Fair
Officials say several pigs at the Oakland County Fair tested positive for the Influenza A virus, with is the causative agent of the swine flu.
Detroit, Michigan, United States

Boy, 9, died of asthma attack made worse by wildfire smoke, parents say
Grieving parents who lost their nine-year-old boy last week say their son died after a severe asthma attack made worse by wildfire smoke engulfing parts of British Columbia.
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Signs of a wet summer are numerous around Cheney Lake
The rain in July has been persistent and in some cases intense. At Cheney Lake there is plenty of evidence about the wet summer.

Mountain biker dies after helping save dehydrated hikers in Jacumba
A mountain biker died Saturday after trying to help dehydrated hikers in an eastern San Diego valley, officials said.
Jacumba, California, United States
NBC 7 San Diego

Tsunami warning canceled following strong earthquake off Alaska Peninsula
The magnitude 7.2 earthquake initially triggered sirens and evacuations in communities including Sand Point and Kodiak.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States

Bird flu outbreak hits Barents Sea coast
Reports are coming in about hundreds of dead birds from Hammerfest in the west to Murmansk in the east. A zone with a radius of five kilometers is closed and guards are in place round-the-clock.
Vidyayevo, Murmansk, Russia
The Independent Barents Observer

Bird flu detected on Finnish fur farms for the first time
The exact virus type is still being determined, but measures are being taken to protect workers and prevent transmission to humans.
Kaustinen, Central Ostrobothnia, Finland
News

Avian influenza outbreak in Finnmark: a natural and environmental disaster
Avian influenza has now been detected along the entire coast of Finnmark. In Vadsø, the disease has not yet been detected, but almost 800 dead birds have already been removed. See video.
Vadsø, Finnmark Fylke, Norway
NRK

Fireweed blooms hindered by foam?
Foam or saliva-looking substance on seen on flowering plants like fireweed and yarrow.
Derek Sikes, Julia Salt, Brandie Radigan, Chyna Williams

Cold, wet weather delays lucrative peony harvest in Southcentral Alaska
Alaska is one of the only places in the world where peony flowers grow in the summer months. But the unusually cold, wet weather this year is delaying the blooms by weeks.
Willow, Alaska, United States
Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Waterfalls now 'trickling': Low water brings changes to Hay River, N.W.T.
Impressive amounts of water normally rush over Alexandra Falls and Louise Falls in the N.W.T. But amid hot and dry conditions, These majestic waterfalls look nothing like they do at their full force.
Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada

Heavy rain inundates Vermont, causing flash floods and requiring rescues
About a dozen people were rescued from a campground in Andover as up to 5 inches of rain fell overnight in some parts of the state.
Londonderry, Vermont, United States
VTDigger

Cabins lost in wildfire near Tulita, N.W.T., as smoke forces some residents to leave
At last measurement, the fire had burned about 14,000 hectares and remains within 10 kilometres of Tulita, but is on the far side of the Mackenzie River.
Tulita NWT

Montpelier sees worst flood in nearly 100 years
Montpelier, Vermont experiences its worst flood in nearly 100 years, with the Winooski River reaching its highest level since 1927, causing extensive damage to the city and forcing residents to evacuate.
Montpelier, Vermont, United States
Rutland Herald

Relentless rain floods towns in Northeast, prompting evacuations and rescues
Rescue teams raced into Vermont on Monday after heavy rain drenched parts of the Northeast, washing out roads, forcing evacuations and halting some airline travel. One person was killed in New York as she was trying to leave her home. Officials say the storm has already wrought tens of millions of dollars in damage.
Arlington, Vermont, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Residents prepare to flee wildfire burning off Alaska Highway in the Yukon's Ibex Valley
Takhini River resident Georgina Widney said she is packed and ready to go if the evacuation alert for her area in the Ibex Valley changes to an evacuation order.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

Heat wave forecast for many N.W.T. communities
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued heat warnings for Yellowknife and many communities in the South Slave, Sahtu and Beaufort Delta regions — where day time temperatures near 30 C and overnight lows near 20 C are expected in the coming days. People are urged to seek out air conditioned spaces to seek relief.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Fuel vault at Anchorage medical campus believed to be source of University Lake oil spill
Oil from a nearby fuel container leaked through the water system in the lake most likely due to heavy rains of the past month. Cleanup efforts were ongoing this week. It’s not clear when the park will reopen.

There's a whole lot of potholes along Yukon's highways this summer
Motorists say potholes on some of Yukon's highways are the worst they've seen. They're calling on the Yukon Government to fill them before a serious accident occurs.
Dawson City, Yukon, Canada

N.W.T. bison anthrax outbreak grows to 27 dead animals
This is the ninth outbreak in the territory since 1965. About 60 bison died in an outbreak in Wood Buffalo National Park last year. More than 300 died in the territory's largest outbreak in 2012. Bison can become infected with anthrax while grazing or taking dust baths.
Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada

Quarantine for bird flu was re-established in Syktyvkar
In Syktyvkar and Syktyvdin of the Komi Republic, quarantine for bird flu was reintroduced. The decree on the establishment of restrictive measures in certain territories of the Syktyvdinsky district and Syktyvkar was signed by the head of the republic, Vladimir Uyba. Quarantine has been in effect since July 5.The focus of bird flu was the territory of the rural settlement "Zelenets" of the Syktyvdinsky district. The hearth is located on the banks of the Vychegda River, opposite the village of Koytybozh.The place is forbidden to visit outsiders, except for specialists and local residents. The import, export and slaughter of birds are prohibited in this territory.
Vychegda River, Russia
Известия

A white raven has appeared on the Kenai Peninsula
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge staff say the bird is leucistic, lacking pigment in some feathers due to an absence of cells that produce melanin.
Soldotna, Alaska, United States

With thousands of sockeyes passing Bethel each day, dipnets are catching on
Amid severely restricted fishing on the Kuskokwim River, one bright spot has been abundant sockeye salmon runs at 30,000 fish daily near Bethel.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

Caught 4000 pink salmon in one net throw: "That's an indescribable amount of fish"
Several thousand pink salmon were caught in one net in connection with the extraction of the blacklisted fish. Too many Pink Salmon in the oceans and rivers threaten other species of salmon in Norway.
Vestre Jakobselv, Norway

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