Environment & Science

The region had been in drought and running a deficit in the rain column, but things changed in a big way on Monday for some parts of the Lehigh Valley. Now, more heavy rainfall is on the way.

The council voted 3-2, approving the preparation of a new landfill ordinance, all while the original proposal is under court review.

Storms today could bring damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding or even a tornado or two across the region. The Lehigh Valley is now under an enhanced risk for severe weather.

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.

Lehigh Valley Zoo officials this week publicly announced the birth of a bison calf, adding to the population boom of new animals at the zoo this year.

The greater potential impact with heavier showers and thunderstorms looks to be Friday and Monday, meteorologists say, with scattered storms over the weekend.

Pools around the Lehigh Valley participated in the World's Largest Swim Lesson with free sessions Thursday. Kids jumped in the wave pool at Dorney Park and Cedar Beach Pool in Allentown.

Several area pools participated in the national event on June 22, 2023.

The danger of lightning is being highlighted by the National Weather Service during Lightning Safety Awareness Week, with five lightning fatalities nationwide so far this year and storms in the forecast in the days ahead.

The industrial waste discharge permit between the city of Bethlehem and Bethlehem Landfill is set to expire June 30. Experts demand more thorough water testing as well as accountability from the landfill.

Temperatures will drop below freezing across the area late Friday night and early Saturday, likely setting the stage for a period of freezing rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Administered by Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, or POWR, with funding from the DCNR, officials said the effort aims to elevate public awareness of specific rivers and recognize important conservation needs and achievements.

With temperatures in the 20s overnight, snow is expected for the southern Poconos, northern New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley, though accumulations should generally be less than one inch.

It will get warmer and closer to normal as the week progresses, but for now, the National Weather Service recommends folks bundle up as an arctic air mass from Canada and the Great Lakes moves in.

The longest running raptor migration count in the world wrapped up for the 2024 season. Staff and volunteers spent more than 1,000 hours recording species as part of Hawk Mountain's conservation efforts.

It is humanity's first-ever mission into the part of the sun’s upper atmosphere known as the corona.

A complex storm system forecasters said could overperform did that and more in the Lehigh Valley on Friday night, as snow totals doubled initial forecasts in some areas.

Join Megan Frank at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Friday for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, Brittany Sweeney takes her place with environment and science reporter Molly Bilinski and arts and culture reporter Micaela Hood.

How much snow can we expect Friday? Forecasters say the complex weather system taking aim at the region has resulted in "a difficult and challenging forecast" for the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.

Despite the drought, Christmas tree farms in the Lehigh Valley were able to make it through a pretty solid season. Check out how the past few weeks panned out for the owners, what types of tree were most popular, and how to keep them alive longer.

Forecast guidance continues to indicate precipitation can be expected over the region Friday evening, which could leave a blanket of white in some areas as we await the winter solstice.

The project, beginning today, includes rebuilding the stream bank. Officials said increased public interest and use, climate change and more frequent high-water events have significantly eroded it.