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.

The annual tradition for many doubles as a science fair you can take part in.

The Lehigh Valley is under a winter weather advisory from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday for a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain.

Many of the Lehigh Valley's tree farms are already sold out for the season, and farmers say the shortage shows no sign of easing any time soon.

A professor at Lehigh University breaks down what a recent, and historic, breakthrough in fusion ignition might mean for the future of clean energy and the potential student interest in the topic.

Love it or hate it, Lehigh Valley residents will likely see a wintry mess from a significant coastal storm coming later this week. Get the latest on timing, expected precipitation and more.

Marley Wait, of Macungie, is a cadet at United States Military Academy West Point. She was named one of the 40 students to win a prestigious Marshall Scholarship to support her studies when she graduates this spring.

Forecasters say where the storm tracks is going to be key to what we get in the Lehigh Valley, as well as the transfer of energy from the primary storm system to a secondary system. That will produce a coastal storm that will likely impact the area Thursday into Friday as it tracks north along the coast.

The real specimens that will be on display at Da Vinci Science Center are designed to compare and contrast healthy bodies and organs with those that are diseased, with an emphasis on common ailments along with cardiovascular issues and dementia.

A regulatory agency responsible for the water supply of more than 13 million people in four Northeastern states says it is banning gas drillers from dumping fracking wastewater in its watershed.

PennDOT will spend millions of dollars to start construction on major transportation projects including bridges, traffic circles, milling, paving and patching roadways and updating interchanges.

Is there rain and wind, or something more interesting in store for the Lehigh Valley in the coming days?That’s what readers are wondering as a parade of storms begins to roll through the region.

While Monday will bring mostly sunny skies and dry weather to the region, meteorologists are tracking a series of storms that will make for a mostly soggy week in the Lehigh Valley — with a question of wintry weather by week's end.