Environment & Science

Temperatures in the Lehigh Valley have averaged 5.4 degrees above normal to begin February — but experts say our springlike pattern will flip in a big way next week.

This weekend is the 27th annual Lehigh Gap Area Feeder Watch. Officials are calling for volunteers.

Easton's Environmental Advisory Council is looking to the future to address the potential needs for residents in the wake of global warming, even if net zero emissions are met.

Head Over Hooves Farm will run on a donation model through the month of February to encourage more visitors. The owners of the farm say the animals thrive on the socialization and enrichment the visits bring.

Learn more about Orion in this, the second of five segments about the constellation.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, state parks across Pennsylvania were inundated with visitors.

State officials late last month announced the theme for this year’s annual tick-themed art contest, “Protect. Check. Remove.” Last year, there were no winners in the Lehigh Valley.

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.

Punxsutawney Phil predicted early spring, but the experts say those declaring winter over are in for a rude awakening, with the risk for colder weather in the second half of February increasing.

More than $2 million was allocated to nine organizations across Pennsylvania to fund various research efforts, all linked to the state’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday night voted against a proposed zoning ordinance amendment by Lower Saucon Township Council regarding the controversial landfill expansion.

Sen. Bob Casey has introduced the No Robot Bosses Act, which intends to protect workers' rights and regulate how companies use AI and algorithms in personnel decisions.

Sweltering conditions in the Lehigh Valley are forecast to end with a bang on Saturday, according to the Storm Prediction Center. But we have to make it through Friday first.

A second round of black fly treatments was slated to begin 10 a.m. Thursday in Bushkill Creek between Easton and Tatamy.

Amidst high temperatures and even higher heat indexes, it is important to know how to cool down and relieve heat stress. However, the Lehigh Valley is underprepared for these extreme temperatures, says an expert.

A statewide drought watch is still in effect, even amid rounds of severe rainstorms and flash flooding.

Heavy rainfall could occur into the evening and overnight.

A July 13 media release stated that the Low Energy Evaporative Fractionation System will employ “an advanced foam fractionation process and proprietary techniques” to treat landfill byproducts.

Officials from Lehigh and Northampton counties are slated to gather at 11 a.m. Aug. 2 at 100 W. Lehigh St. in Bethlehem for a news conference focused on the new project, “Lehigh Valley Breathes.”

The average price for a gallon of gas in Pennsylvania is now 10 cents higher this week, and experts say the pain at the pump is likely to continue.

The Lehigh Valley is preparing for its first official heat wave of the year, with a stretch of 90°+ degree temperatures expected. A heat advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. Thursday to 10 p.m. Friday.

Showers and thunderstorms, possibly severe are possible Tuesday evening, alerts from the Weather Prediction Center have warned.