Environment & Science

Several Lehigh Valley schools are closing Tuesday because of the weather forecast.

Early Monday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning in effect for the Lehigh Valley for 7 to 10 inches of snow, with locally higher amounts over the higher elevations.

One area of potential concern at the Allentown State Hospital had been the presence of dioxins in the soil. Dioxins are a group of toxic chemical compounds that take a long time to break down in the environment, and can cause health problems in people.

Betelgeuse is the red supergiant star at Orion’s ‘right shoulder.’

Lehigh and Northampton counties are under a winter storm watch in effect from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, with 4 to 8 inches of heavy, wet snow possible.

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.

It’s a special year for cicadas, insects known for their high-pitched mating songs. Two adjacent broods are expected to co-emerge for the first time in 221 years. Here's the next time they emerge in the Valley.

Northern flying squirrels are endangered, and the Pa. Game Commission works to improve their habitat. A group went searching for the species in the Poconos.

Stanley cups have skyrocketed in popularity, following other trends in reusable drinkware. But, fads like these can encourage overconsumption, experts said.

Right now, the overall pattern isn’t very conducive to significant snowfall for the Lehigh Valley and the Mid-Atlantic next week. Here's what will make or break the event for snow lovers.

Forecasters say where the storm tracks is going to be key to what we get in the Lehigh Valley, as well as the transfer of energy from the primary storm system to a secondary system. That will produce a coastal storm that will likely impact the area Thursday into Friday as it tracks north along the coast.

The real specimens that will be on display at Da Vinci Science Center are designed to compare and contrast healthy bodies and organs with those that are diseased, with an emphasis on common ailments along with cardiovascular issues and dementia.

A regulatory agency responsible for the water supply of more than 13 million people in four Northeastern states says it is banning gas drillers from dumping fracking wastewater in its watershed.

PennDOT will spend millions of dollars to start construction on major transportation projects including bridges, traffic circles, milling, paving and patching roadways and updating interchanges.

Is there rain and wind, or something more interesting in store for the Lehigh Valley in the coming days?That’s what readers are wondering as a parade of storms begins to roll through the region.

While Monday will bring mostly sunny skies and dry weather to the region, meteorologists are tracking a series of storms that will make for a mostly soggy week in the Lehigh Valley — with a question of wintry weather by week's end.

Pa.'s Department of Environmental Protection gave the company 14 days to come up with a plan of action.

A pattern change known as the "Greenland Block" could introduce cold air — and perhaps wintry weather — into the region by mid-December, meteorologists say. But what is the pattern and why could it bring snow?

Two seafood monitoring groups downgraded Maine lobster's sustainability ratings, prompting Whole Foods to pause purchases. Here's how environmental groups and state leaders are reacting.

Shopping not your thing? #OptOutside and join the movement started by specialty outdoor retailer REI in 2015 as a way to encourage people to reconnect with nature. We've got a list of places to check out across the Lehigh Valley.

Local officials warn residents never to pour fats, oils and grease (FOG), into the sink because it can harden and cause blockages in pipes.

Lafayette Junior Remy Oktay flew a Pipistrel Alpha Electro about 500 feet above Fisher Stadium on Saturday.