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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

Seismologist says earthquake may have triggered mudslide on the Haines Highway
Southeast Alaska had a very dry September. Heavy rains returned to the region this month, triggering a large mudslide on the Haines Highway.
Haines, Alaska, United States
KHNS - Haines

Coastal fishermen report dramatically smaller herring catches in the Baltic Sea
Fishermen fishing close to the shore in the Baltic Sea have seen a steady decline in herring and Baltic herring catches over many years. Large-scale trawling further out at sea could be one of the reasons behind it.
Baltic Sea
Sveriges Radio

Hospital workers in PPE suffering in the heat
Hospital staff in protective gear are suffering as central Sweden experiences a heatwave.
Södertälje, Stockholm, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Rats Run Rampant in Kodiak this Season
Kayla Desroches/KMXT It looks like it’ll be a ratty season for Kodiak. The rodents are running rampant this year, at least according to one local pest cont
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
KMXT 100.1 FM

Drought conditions in Upcountry Maui prompt increased water restrictions
Drought conditions across Upcountry Maui have prompted the county to update its water shortage status for the unforeseeable future. Demand for water in the area currently exceeds supply by 20% — which moves its status from Stage 1 to Stage 2, county officials said Thursday.
Kula, Hawaii, United States
Hawai'i Public Radio

Uncommonly consistent, strong winds rip through Western Alaska
These windy conditions have started to negatively impact sea ice coverage in the Bering Strait. Based on satellite imagery and observations from residents across the region, more open water has started to appear along coastlines and thicker ice has been pushed around, climatologist Rick Thoman said. He noted that sea ice conditions are drastically different in the Bering Strait than they were five days ago.
Nome, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

Amid coronavirus pandemic, Sweden battles avian flu outbreaks
Bird flu, or avian influenza, has struck the Swedish poultry industry hard this winter. Since November, thousands of turkeys and more than one million chickens have been culled. Malin Grant, an epidemiologist at the National Veterinary Institute, says the virus can be deadly for domestic poultry but the strains currently circulating don't easily infect or spread between people.
Kalmar and Skane Counties, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Authorities urge caution as forest fires break out around Sweden
Several wildfires are raging around the country and the state weather forecaster, SMHI, has issued forest fire warnings for nearly all of Sweden.
Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
Radio Sweden

Seabirds Washing Up Dead; Scientists Investigating
For the second year in a row, dead seabirds are washing up on beaches throughout the region by the hundreds. The birds appear to be starving, but scientists say the story is more complicated.
Gambell, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

More wolves in Gävleborg - pressure increases to allow licensed hunt
The number of wolves in Gävleborg county has gone up and the pressure to introduce licensed hunting is increasing in the region.
Gävle, Gävleborg, Sweden

First case of African swine fever confirmed in Sweden
African swine fever is harmless to humans but deadly to pigs and wild boars. An outbreak in Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia this summer has led farmers there to cull thousands of animals.
Fagersta, Västmanland, Sweden
Sveriges Radio

Hot weather continues to cause problems for railways
Buckled train tracks, fires and thunderstorms are causing major problems for the country's railways, Thursday.
Gotlands län, Sweden

Record temperatures mean heated competition in Stockholm Marathon
Some 20,000 runners will hit the streets this Saturday for the Stockholm Marathon that promises some unseasonably warm temperatures.
Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Bad weather and road salt blamed for uncharged electric buses in Umea
Fredrik Dahlborg, manager of bus manufacturer VDL, told P4 Västerbotten that a combination of the weather and road salt is the problem. Despite this, Umeå municipality say they will keep using the electric buses.
Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden

Bird flu found in the wild after Sweden saw its worst ever outbreak
Wild pheasants and mallards have tested positive for avian influenza this summer, an unusual find according to the National Veterinary Institute.
Sweden

Groundwater levels bounce back after more rain and snow
More rain and a blanket of snow in recent months has helped Sweden's groundwater levels recover significantly after dropping in several parts of the country.
Sweden

The volume of the fuel spilled in Taimyr has more than doubled
The volume of spilled aviation fuel near the village of Tukhard in the Krasnoyarsk region has more than doubled, to 44.5 tons, the press service reported.
Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Radio Sputnik

Dry pastures could force farmers to kill off livestock early
Many cows might need to be slaughtered early due to a shortage grass for them to eat.
Halmstad, Hallands län, Sweden

Cold brings record numbers to Stockholm homeless shelter
With temperatures nudging -14C on Tuesday night, a record 170 homeless people came to shelter at a church in Stockholm.
Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

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

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

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

Dry weather and lack of feed have farmers in southeastern Sweden selling off livestock early
Dry weather and poor feed harvests are to blame for the predicted increase as farmers are deciding to sent their livestock in earlier than planned.
Rälla, Kalmar, Sweden

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

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

Why homes along Arctic coastline are at risk of falling into the ocean
"All it would take is one or two big storms and these houses you see behind me would be gravely at risk."
Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC Radio
The Current's Liz Hoath and CBC's Briar Stewart.

Low Swedish wasp numbers defy expert expectations
It was supposed to be a vintage year for Sweden's wasp population, but instead of an increase in numbers the population has been unexpectedly low. Unseasonable ...

Winter arrives early in Värmland
Winter came to Värmland, Tuesday, with six centimetres of snow falling on higher ground.
Båstad, Skåne län, Sweden

More wolves in Gavleborg - pressure increases to allow licensed hunt
The number of wolves in Gävleborg county has gone up and the pressure to introduce licensed hunting is increasing in the region.
Gävle, Gävleborg, Sweden

Swedes face hosepipe bans after long dry spell
Sweden's towns, villages and cities have been warned to plan for emergency water deliveries and hosepipe bans in a letter from nine Swedish agencies.
Södertälje, Stockholm, Sweden

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

Record number of shearwater birds taken into care after getting lost on journey north
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
ABC Radio

Numbers of peregrine falcons could be down by 40% since last year, birdwatchers say
Bird flu may be the reason behind a drastic decrease in the number of peregrine falcons in Sweden this year. Every year there is a stock count of the number of peregrine falcons in Sweden and this year early numbers indicate there may be a big drop in the number of birds counted.
Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
Sveriges Radio

Sweden faces midsummer strawberry shortage due to unfavourable weather
Would Midsommar even be Midsommar without Swedish strawberries? Well millions may be about to find out.
Skåne län, Sweden

Midsummer strawberry shortage
Sweden's unusually warm and sunny May, which pushed the early varieties, which are normally timed to peak at Midsommar, to flower and fruit two weeks early.
Skåne, Skåne län, Sweden

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

Infection spreads at mink farms in Sweden
Coronavirus has been detected at a further three mink farms in southern Sweden, according to the National Veterinary Institute.
People in the vicinity of the farms are being tested for the virus, and Karl Ståhl at the National Veterinary Institute says they are in control of the situation.
Hjo, Västra Götaland, Sweden

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

Rare bird in historic visit to Sweden
A rare bird that has only been sighted twice before in Europe turned up in western Sweden on Sunday, causing great excitement among ornithologists.
Göteborg, Västra Götalands län, Sweden

Heatwave sparks fears of wildfires across large parts of Sweden - Radio Sweden
Its only mid-May but the mini heatwave has left large areas of Sweden bone-dry, leading to a ban on public fires in several areas.
Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Rising rivers prompt flood warnings in central Sweden
The national weather service SMHI has issued warnings for 8 different counties where this winter's unusually heavy snow is now melting and flowing downstream. ...
Söderhamn, Gävleborgs län, Sweden

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

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

Heavy Fog Brings Diverted Flights To Kenai Airport From Anchorage
The Kenai Municipal Airport and the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport have both experienced heavy delays, cancellations, and re-routed flights over the past week.
Kenai, Alaska, United States
Radio Kenai

Baltic countries not doing enough to stop algae suffocating the sea - Radio Sweden
Sweden and its neighbouring countries are not meeting targets to save the Baltic Sea, and one of the people involved in coordinating the work tells us why it is so hard to stop problems lilke fertilizer run-off.
Baltic Sea

The cause of the mass mortality of fish in a large river in the Tyumen region has been determined
Local residents made a mound that led to the shallowing of the reservoir.
Тюмень, Tjumen, Russia
Radio Sputnik

Road to NWT’s diamond mines closes in the heat
The winter resupply road between Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories' three working diamond mines has succumbed to this week's warm weather.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Cabin Radio

Why does it look like it's snowing in Stockholm in late May?
Pia Östensson, a biologist and pollen expert at Stockholm's Natural History museum, explains why there is so much aspen fluff this year and why it is not related to recent wildfires.
Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden

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

Norton Sound crab fishery bounces back with record year following fishing hiatus
After no commercial crabbing since 2019, this summer’s Norton Sound Red King Crab fishery had a record year of $3.7 million dollars in ex-vessel value.
Nome, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

Buckland hit with heavy flooding from river ice break-up
An ice jam caused by warming spring temperatures near the village of Buckland has left most of the town underwater and cut off access to the airport road. Residents of the village of about 400 people are preparing to evacuate by boat if water levels continue to rise.
Buckland, Alaska, United States
KOTZ Radio 720 AM

Bowhead pod visits Savoonga with ice conditions unsuitable for hunting
Earlier this week, a pod of about nine Bowhead whales were seen off the northern coast of Savoonga but young ice conditions around St. Lawrence Island prevented hunting. If local hunters hauled a whale out onto young ice, it would break apart.
Savoonga, Alaska, United States

Bering Sea ice reaches St. Paul for a week, now recedes north
The main Bering Sea ice pack has begun its retreat to the north after extending to the Pribilofs earlier this month. This winter’s freeze-up has been reminiscent of more historical sea ice conditions.
Pribilof Islands

Unalakleet’s boil water notice extended as work on main water line continues
The City of Unalakleet now has a working generator to power its local water plant, but the community plans to be on a boil water notice for an extended period of time.
Unalakleet, Alaska, United States

Latest Research From Chukchi Sea Finds More Warm Water, Harmful Algal Blooms
During their three weeks aboard the Healy, Bob Pickart and his team observed some Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). One was near Point Hope.
Near Point Hope, Alaska

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.

Norton Sound silver run among lowest harvests in decades
The commercial Silver harvest in the Norton Sound yielded the lowest numbers since 2002.This trend follows suit from last year as well, which yielded far less than projected. The run was “very poor,” Menard said. The preliminary catch was 7,100 Silvers. That’s less than half caught in the commercial fishery last year.
Nome, Alaska, United States

‘Stebbins is resilient,’ Eastern Norton Sound communities recovering from storm damage
Several communities in the Norton Sound are struggling with contaminated drinking water days after the significant September storm hit the region.
Stebbins, Alaska, United States

‘Half of Golovin underwater,’ residents shovel sand out of homes
GOLOVIN RESIDENTS ARE IN CLEANUP MODE as their community works to restore power, phone service and clear debris. After the flood waters receded from the weekend’s severe fall storm, some locals are left with feet of sand in their homes. “At my place we’ve got three feet of sand we’re still shoveling out with the crew here, trying to get the sand out of the living area so we can get the sheetrock to go ahead and dry off,” Alaska Senator Donny Olson of Golovin said.
Golovin, Alaska, United States

Windy March Storms in Wales Cause Concern for Future
March brought a series of storms across the Seward Peninsula, and in one Bering Strait community that meant a series of power outages. The storms are stronger than residents recall in the past.
Wales, Alaska, United States

More evacuations as fires flare up
The wind is causing trouble in some of the areas affected by wildfires and now more people are having to evacuate their homes.
Tjällmo, Östergötland, Sweden

For first time since records began, NWT hits 20C in March
The NWT broke a symbolic temperature barrier as a heatwave continued. There were warnings over ice roads and spoiled meat, and questions about climate change.
Northwest Territories, Canada
Cabin Radio

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

Rare clash between two distinct kinds of orcas in the Salish Sea — and the endangered fish-eaters won
Two distinct species of orcas feed and socialize in the waters of Puget Sound: fish-eating endangered southern resident killer whales and transient, or Bigg’s, killer whales, which feed on marine mammals and are more common. They seldom mix.
Point Roberts, Washington, United States
KNKX Public Radio

Minor to Severe Erosion Across the Region Caused by Strong Bering Sea Storm
Late last week a strong Bering Sea storm hit the region, bringing winds up to 50mph, blowing snow, and high-water. Some communities saw significant erosion while others were mostly unscathed.

Hot, dry weather may be the last straw for dairy farmers
The dry weather during May and June is putting an increasing strain on Sweden's farmers. There is a risk that several farms will have to close down.
Jönköpings län, Sweden

Red Fox Rabies Outbreak in Nome
The head of Alaska’s Wildlife Disease and Health Surveillance Program confirms that the City of Nome has a higher than normal case count of rabies in the red fox population. Usually in winter, most of the cases come from Prudhoe Bay and Utqiagvik. This winter most of the cases are from Nome, as well as from Kivalina and other villages around Kotzebue.

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

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

Nome Breaks Another Climate Record: Most Rain in 24 Hours
Heavy rain and coastal flood warnings threatened boats near Kotzebue, caused flooding at the old shipyard in St. Michael, and brought high water to the Eastern Norton Sound as well as several rivers near Nome.

Climate change may boost wine production in southern Sweden
Founder Håkan Hansson convinced this is the world’s new wine region.
Malmö, Skåne, Sweden

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

Low Abundance of Fish Harms Norton Sound’s Commercial Fishing Season
The prospects are dim for this summer’s Norton Sound commercial fishing and crabbing seasons.

Rarely seen whale stranded on Waikato beach dies
A stranded whale on a Waikato beach has died, despite rescuers; best efforts to save it.
Waikato Region, New Zealand
Radio New Zealand

Unalakleet perseveres through water shortage, looks ahead to future system
Unalakleet’s supply of water was running on empty following a nasty freeze-up at the end of December. Freezing rain led to a frozen pool of standing water that shifted the community’s pump house before the New Year. This dropped the flow of water into the water tank and levels were down to two feet earlier the first week of January.
Unalakleet, 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

Offshore SeaBirds Feel Effects of Warmer Ocean Waters
Coastal seabirds have experienced significant die-offs in Western Alaska the past few years. But recent results suggest that offshore birds are also feeling the impact of low ice and warming ocean temperatures in the Bering Sea.
Bering Sea

A Warming Arctic Hits Iditarod: Open Water Along the Trail Where There’s Normally Ice
Usually, in March, the Bering Sea ice is reaching its thickest extent. But from the beach in Unalakleet, the full horizon is blue ocean water, punctuated infrequently by lone icebergs.

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

White Mountains, North Country hit hard by storm that caused flooding, closed roads
A storm caused flooding and road closures in New Hampshire's White Mountains and North Country, with ongoing concerns about rising river levels and dam operations.
Concord, New Hampshire, United States
New Hampshire Public Radio

Mild Temperatures and North Winds Contribute to Low Sea Ice Extent in Bering
Sea ice extent in the Bering Sea was at record low levels at the end of 2020. And with recent strong northerly winds combined with mild temperatures, sea ice coverage in the Bering Strait region is still not ideal.

Winter Storm Buffets Western Alaska While Lack of Sea Ice Continues to be the Norm
Similar to the last storm that hit the region earlier this month, there is hardly any sea ice in the Bering Sea to minimize the damage to coastal areas.

At-risk countries worry what 'America first' means for climate change
Bairiki Village, Gilbert Islands, Kiribati
Public Radio International

Rapid Arctic warming is increasing the frequency of blizzards in U.S. Northeast
While the northeastern is recovering from the third major winter storm this month, the Arctic is experiencing one of the warmest winters on record.
New York, New York, United States
Radio Canada / Eye on the Arctic

Ground water levels peak after wet winter
Underground water reservoirs in the south of Sweden are full to brimming point, according to the latest report from the Geological Survey of Sweden. Lots of rain and snow over the winter are the reason, a welcome change after drought conditions last summer.

Avian influenza case detected in wild goose in Halifax area
The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources says it was a Canada goose. When found in Grand Désert, the wild goose had the H5N1 strain of influenza and was showing symptoms. She died 24 hours later.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Radio-Canada.ca

Fire bans in force across large parts of Sweden
Sweden has implemented fire bans across most of the country due to high, very high, or extremely high risk of wildfires caused by hot weather and dry conditions.

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

Stanley declared a temporary control zone as first case of avian flu confirmed
Stanley, Falkland Islands, establishes a temporary control zone following the confirmation of its first avian flu case.
Stanley, Falkland Islands
Falklands Radio • Broadcasting news and entertainment to the Falkland Islands

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