Environment & Science

The U.S. Department of Agriculture updated its plant hardiness map, showing a warmer Lehigh Valley. The region has moved into a warmer zone from the one where it was placed more than a decade ago. Experts say it has consequences for plant seasons and species.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

If you're doing anything outdoors, do it Saturday. Rain will arrive Sunday and is forecast to intensify later in the day, with gusty winds. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Sunday afternoon into Monday afternoon.

LANTA officials are reminding residents for caution when and if severe winter weather returns this season, and discussed what riders should do if they are unsure with the status of service after a storm

A sprawling storm system is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and snow to the region this weekend.

Chances are, you'll still be able to find a tree, it just might take a little extra work — and you might want to get it soon. Roger from Unangst Tree Farms explains the ins and outs of why this problem, a decade in the making, is now causing tree farms and stands to sell-out when it's barely December.

Almost 11,000 birds of prey were counted this year during the Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s annual autumn hawk watch as they made their way along the raptor "superhighway" in the Valley’s backyard.

Snow is in the forecast for the Lehigh Valley, and meteorologists say it could impact the Thursday morning commute. A more potent system Sunday could be 'quite a wild ride.'

Emmaus is set to approve the $46 million dollar budget at council's second December meeting, marking a large investment into the borough's management of PFAS contamination.

Forecasters say the Lehigh Valley will see a mixed bag of precipitation in the days ahead, with snow showers possible Wednesday and Thursday and a potent storm system expected this weekend.

State environmental officials have found PFAS in one-third of Pa. water systems.

Joro spiders are known for their 10-foot webs, among other things.

The problem will not be solved quickly or easily, some say.

Trout season opens across Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 2.

The case stems from the Clean Power Plan created during the Obama administration but never enacted.

Experts say vertical agriculture could be a key to future food security.

Carbon and Schuylkill are among the 43 counties that will benefit from the federal funding.

The plan uses the sale of credits for solar projects to plug oil and gas wells.

Drillers are expected to pay about $234M -- $90 million more than the year before.

Grants will go toward replacing gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles.

The 3-state panel is tasked with protecting resources of the Chesapeake Bay.

They don't bite or contain toxins, but they still don't have many friends in Pennsylvania.