Environment & Science

In the home stretch of summer, is the worst of the heat behind us? Here’s where things stand in the Lehigh Valley as we look ahead — and enter the peak of hurricane season.

Four farms in Lehigh and Northampton counties were the latest to be included in Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program. The program aims to ward off development and protect open spaces.

It's becoming more favorable as the summer goes on for viewing the planets in the evening sky, including Saturn. But did you know — its angle in relation to an Earth-bound observer is always changing.

Officials came together in Easton to discuss energy efficiency and weatherization programs intended to help residents while cutting emissions Thursday morning.

Tropical Storm Debby has been flooding parts of the Atlantic coast as remnants make their way north. As a result, PA-Task Force 1 has been deployed to assist North Carolina in emergency response operations.

North Whitehall Board of Supervisors on Monday hired engineering consultant Gilmore & Associates to create an Open Space Action Plan for the township.

Musikfest organizers have already eliminated paper food and beverage tickets, and started using renewable energy sources to power tents, vendors and beer trucks – but the work continues to make the event more environmentally-friendly.

This week, Watching the Skies gives an update on the International Space Station, which is currently hosting two ‘extra’ American astronauts.

Over the past few days, Lehigh Valley residents have complained of bad smells wafting through Bethlehem and surrounding areas. Residents have described the most recent heavy odor as a rotting smell.

One of the best chances to ‘catch a falling star’ is the Perseid meteor shower. And the evening of Aug. 12 and early morning of Aug. 13 should be the peak night for this annual event.

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 Easton reporter Brian Myszkowski and environment and science reporter Molly Bilinski.

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. held its Fall Signature Event on Oct. 10, 2024, featuring a panel focused on cultivating and attracting top talent for the area's tech industry.

State officials this week called on residents to submit nominations for Pennsylvania’s 2025 “Trail of the Year.” In the last 10 years, a Lehigh Valley trail has only been picked once before.

Associated with an unusually strong geomagnetic storm, the northern lights were visible across our area Thursday night, even before the best viewing window advertised by the National Weather Service.

The Lehigh Valley is about to experience “a decidedly early November-like day,” according to the National Weather Service. A frost advisory has been issued from midnight to 9 a.m. Friday.

Hurricane Milton is expected to heavily disrupt air travel, including flights from Lehigh Valley International Airport to numerous destinations in Florida.

Da Vinci Science Center's newest exhibit, “Sharks,” will open Oct. 12. The display, organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, will offer "an up-close and personal look at one of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures — offering a jaw-dropping experience for visitors of all ages."

Short-term outlooks suggest a cold front will make steady progress across the area Monday, with a reinforcing cold front to follow later this week. It could push overnight temperatures into the 30s for the first time since late April.

Ian Fetterman, of Palmer Township, has taken his passion for Halloween and combined it with his artistic talents, carving out his own niche. Now, Ian’s Pumpkin Carvings has customers all over the U.S.

This week, our inner solar system has a visitor. It’s been visible through telescopes since its discovery last year by observers in China and South Africa.

Three proposed warehouse projects are on hold in Lowhill Township, the board of supervisors said at a meeting on Tuesday night. Two of the projects are in litigation; the third will be discussed at a hearing before the supervisors in November.

The regional wastewater plan is still underway in Lehigh County, as the sewer authority deals with aging infrastructure. Five open houses have been scheduled to collect residents' feedback.