Environment & Science

Near unrelenting heat has become a reality in the Lehigh Valley to kick off summer, putting the area at risk for rapid onset drought — a term that’s part of a new outlook issued by the Climate Prediction Center.

Another surge of heat and humidity is on the way for the Lehigh Valley, with the possibility that severe storms could rattle the region on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

Venus, the planet: Morning star, evening star, or just being itself?

The severe thunderstorm watch comes amid a heat wave that looks to break Monday as a cooler air mass mercifully moves into the region Sunday night.

Excessive heat warnings have been posted in parts of the northeastern U.S. with heat indices of 105 to 110 degrees. Forecasters issued an excessive heat warning for southeastern Pennsylvania. As for Saturday, we're expected to hit a high of 96 in the Lehigh Valley.

One trick is to be sure to water plants at the base — not the leaves — to ensure the roots absorb the water. "Everybody waters the plant, but you need to water the soil," says one nursery manager.

The Lehigh Valley ranks as the eighth-highest industrial market in the U.S., it was disclosed at a Lehigh Valley Planning Commission roundtable meeting on Friday.

This week, Megan Frank is joined by environment and science reporter Molly Bilinski, and Northampton County reporter Ryan Gaylor.

Northampton County Council on Thursday approved nearly $650,000 in Livable Landscapes grants, most focused on expanding or improving the public trails.

With more than two dozen species of fireflies that call Pennsylvania home, it’s no wonder one was adopted as the state’s insect. But, these flashy insects are threatened due habitat loss and light pollution.

In a week where the nation will put football in the rearview mirror and welcome pitchers and catchers to spring training, the Lehigh Valley will enjoy some springlike weather.

A Northampton County Judge on Wednesday denied the request of Lower Saucon Township residents for a stay of a meeting on Feb. 27 relative to the proposed expansion of the Bethlehem Landfill.

Easton Area Neighborhood Centers Inc. and the Seed Farm in Upper Milford Township are getting $50,000 and $27,754 respectively to put toward their greenhouses.

Independence and Bailey’s Island are now state forest lands.

Our daily list of useful information, chosen to inform and enhance your day, includes news you can use and then some!

Lehigh University and St. Luke's University Health Network are working together to create a biomaterial that would help regenerate cartilage. The project is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Punxsutawney Phil was pulled from his tree stump at dawn on Thursday to 'predict' six more weeks of winter. But there's plenty of evidence that won't be the case in the Lehigh Valley and throughout the region.

Our daily list of useful information, chosen to inform and enhance your day, includes news you can use and then some!

“It's always remarkable to me to see even a company that we've all grown up with has to constantly change and adapt – not just with regard to sources of energy, but with regard to the process," Casey said.

A mother bear and her cubs are nestled under the deck of a Pike County home, and you can peek in on them 24/7. The camera is expected to be up until late March or early April, when the bears leave the den.

Based on history alone, fans of winter should be optimistic. But El Niño doesn't just affect one season, and scientists warn its possible return is a major cause for concern. Here's what we know so far.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection lifted a drought watch for five counties, including Northampton County.