Environment & Science

This New Year’s Day, tens of thousands of people across the country, including dozens in the Valley, will take a guided hike through a state park to mark the beginning of 2024.

December 2023 is now the wettest December on record in the Lehigh Valley, with a total of 8.17 inches of rainfall recorded as of 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. The high water mark was set during a day of record rain for Dec. 27.

The ski slopes just southeast of Lehigh County announced it would shut down at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, awaiting colder weather to make snow

With a forecast projecting 1 to 1.5 inches of rain possible this week, the Lehigh Valley will move closer to its wettest December ever.

Lawmakers in Harrisburg passed nearly three dozen laws last week in a final burst of action as they held their last voting session of the year.

Look for the full moon on Wednesday, Dec. 27

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.

On Dec. 21 at approximately 10:27 p.m. EST, we’ll begin the winter solstice north of the equator. Will the change of season finally bring snow?

It might seem counterintuitive, but harvesting holiday trees year after year is better for the environment than using an artificial one, experts said, especially amid the proliferation of plastic piling up in landfills.

Officials on Wednesday reviewed several preliminary transportation policy strategies for the Valley's priority climate action plan. The plan’s focus is to reduce carbon emissions from transportation, a significant driver of greenhouse gas emissions across the region.

Tropical Storm Ida passed through our region Wednesday, dumping up to 8 inches of rain in some places.

Rescue crews made thousands of water search operations in Pennsylvania Wednesday as Tropical Storm Ida dropped up to 8 inches of rain across the state.

The father of a Moravian University student was found dead Thursday after a water incident Wednesday evening.

Three people were killed in Montgomery County after severe storms from Hurricane Ida hit the region on Wednesday.

A Lehigh Valley man is heading south to assist with Hurricane Ida relief efforts. The Red Cross volunteer boards a flight Tuesday and will help distribute supplies when he gets to the devastated area.

Much of the state is under a flash flood watch as the remnants of Hurricane Ida travel to the northeastern United States.

The U.S. Department of Energy held an online public meeting on Tuesday to find out how frontline communities in Appalachia are impacted by the growing ethane and petrochemical industries. Ethane is a byproduct of natural gas development and can be used to make plastics.

Despite piping hot August temperatures, artist Sarah Karess is hard at work on the mural at the Allentown Transportation Center.

Pennsylvania’s environmental regulator is levying an $85,666 penalty against Sunoco for issues with its Mariner East project in four counties last year.

If you’re planning a visit to a national park, you’ll need to pack a mask even if you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19.

More than a dozen city leaders, including the mayors of Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, are calling on Congress to pass the Parks, Jobs and Equity Act.

A “Code Orange” air quality alert is now in effect across the Lehigh Valley.