Environment & Science

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.

Five farms, three in Lehigh County and two in Northampton County, were the latest to be included in the commonwealth’s Farmland Preservation Program, along with more than a dozen others across the state.

Some areas reported almost 14 inches of snow, with flakes the size of cotton balls. Other areas got just a few inches. Said a National Weather Service meteorologist: 'I completely understand the shock factor.'

The Lehigh Valley is under a winter weather advisory in effect from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday, with a chance the snowfall that could overperform in parts of the region.

WLVR's Megan Frank talks with journalists Molly Bilinski and Phil Gianficaro.

Presidents Day weekend is approaching, and historically the period has been prime time for big storms. That won't be the case Friday, but a few inches of snow are possible in the Lehigh Valley.

A Lehigh Valley resident was recognized as a “Volunteer of the Year” for 2023 by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, a statewide nonprofit that focuses on litter cleanups and community improvements.

Less than 24 hours removed from the Lehigh Valley’s heaviest snowfall in three years, forecasters have a word of advice to offer: don’t put the shovel away just yet.

Tuesday's fast-moving storm swept quickly through the Lehigh Valley but packed a wallop, bringing nearly a foot of snow to several spots.

“This has been a tremendously difficult storm to forecast due to rapidly changing conditions/temperatures expected and the difference in timing,” the National Weather Service said in its forecast discussion.

That endowment will help improve parks across the city by providing long-term funding for the Parknership’s work.

Inversion is a natural phenomenon that causes bottom water to flow up to the top surface and surface water to drop to the bottom. It's causing some households' drinking water to smell and taste different.

A secondary cold front Tuesday will bring little opportunity for precipitation and another day of windy conditions across the region, forecasters say, setting the stage for risk of fire spread.

Participants in this year's D&L RaceFest, the largest yet, took to Lehigh Valley streets and trails Sunday. The day's top prizes both went to Easton residents.

The Lehigh Valley is parched, again. Here's what the region needs to get out of the drought that has led to burn bans and voluntary water conservation measures.

The Blue Mountain fire, also called the Gap Fire, erupted Saturday in Lehigh Township. It's now 100% contained, officials said.

The last substantial rainfall in the area came Sept. 28, when nearly a quarter-inch fell at the climate station at Lehigh Valley International Airport. Here's why that could make anticipated rainfall Sunday very dangerous for drivers.

Join Megan Frank at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Friday for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, she's joined by politics reporter Tom Shortell and digital managing content producer Stephanie Sigafoos.

A ban on open fires in Northampton County will take effect Sunday. Charcoal and propane grills still will be allowed, along with fires in a fireplace or otherwise contained indoors.

The red flag warning is in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday in both Lehigh and Northampton counties. It's the second red flag warning issued so far this month.

The fire erupted Saturday in Lehigh Township. Over the following days, the fire grew from 150 acres to almost 600 near the border of Northampton and Carbon counties.

Daniel Klem Jr., director of the Acopian Center for Ornithology at the college, on Saturday was presented with the Walt Pomeroy Conservation Award. His most recent study found 3.5 million birds dying every day in a 365-day period.