Environment & Science

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 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.

Easton Outdoor Company hosted the launch of the Elevate program, which aims to help outdoor activity-oriented businesses connect and thrive, on Monday, Oct. 29.

Firefighters battling a blaze on Blue Mountain expressed gratitude to the community for an abundance of donations — so many that they have advised people to hold onto their contributions as they have reached capacity for storage.

Celebrating a year of space facts and fun sightings to look for.

State environmental officials are calling on residents to nominate their favorite waterway to be 2025 River of the Year. The effort aims to elevate public awareness of specific rivers and recognize important conservation needs and achievements.

Lehigh and Northampton counties are in a drought watch due to persistently dry weather. The Lehigh County Authority is asking residents to start conserving.

Another soaking rainfall and flood watch are expected for the Lehigh Valley on Friday, forecasters said, with widespread impacts somewhat similar to Tuesday’s storm. Then, we take a wintry turn next week.

Ignoring repeated warnings, some Lehigh Valley motorists find themselves stranded after driving through deep roadway water.

Over two inches of rain fell at Lehigh Valley International Airport, setting another daily record on Tuesday, but winds were less than feared.

Another powerful winter storm is set to hit the region, bringing concerns of widespread flooding and high winds Tuesday into Wednesday.

A severe rainstorm is expected to cause flooding that may impact roadways throughout the Lehigh Valley.

A Muhlenberg College professor has launched a campaign this month to inform residents about the health risks of radon, as well as improve access to testing and mitigation. The Lehigh Valley is home to the highest radon levels ever recorded in Pennsylvania.

Sunday evening will see a ‘close approach’ between Saturn and the Moon. Though the two appear close in the night sky just after sunset on Jan. 14. However, in space, Saturn is almost a billion miles away, about 4,000 times more distant than the moon.

The Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas are under a flood watch from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

With some parts of the Lehigh Valley under as much as 9 inches of snow, the National Weather Service says the storm’s not quite done yet.

Olivia Louise McMahon traveled to Dubai last month as part of Penn State University's delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Officials from around the world discussed how to limit the effects of climate change already present and prepare for further impacts.

The funding for four projects came from the Growing Greener and Act 167 grant programs, both through the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Emergency Management agencies at the county and state level, as well as cities in the Lehigh Valley say they're ready for whatever happens after the snowstorm: including a risk of severe and dangerous flooding.