Environment & Science

This week marks the start of astronomical winter which began with the December solstice, Sunday morning just after 10 a.m. EST.

While the penguins were taken off exhibit, barnyard birds and waterfowl at Lehigh Valley Zoo were shuffled to different enclosures so visitors could still view them.

Wind Gap will get a $130,000 state grant to help fund a new, larger pavilion at the borough's municipal park, officials announced Thursday.

Thousands were in the dark in Lehigh and Northampton counties as thunder rumbled and lighting flashed Friday afternoon in parts of the Lehigh Valley. Wind gusts reached more than 50 mph.

In its review, the LVPC said the data center proposal lacks specificity needed to fully review the project in Upper Macungie Township.

The state Game Commission is coordinating a response, which includes "safe removal, testing and disposal" of the impacted birds.

In addition to advancing the sewage plan, committee members also discussed the ongoing trail gap inventory and analysis, as well as voted in next year's chair and vice chair.

December temperatures in the Lehigh Valley have plunged far enough below normal to make even seasoned winter residents take notice.

The money is earmarked to help pay for a $20 million facility to treat water from Crystal Spring, one of Allentown’s four major water sources, according to city officials.

This week, Brad Klein and Marty McGuire take a look at Orion — the constellation most associated with the winter sky.

Pennsylvania’s economy will center around agriculture in 2024, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Snow squalls cause dangerous travel conditions and can be blinding for motorists, according to the National Weather Service. The Lehigh Valley is at highest risk from mid-morning into the afternoon.

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.

The weather pattern not only remains active – with another flood watch on Friday – it includes a chance of yet another coastal system impacting the mid-Atlantic region early next week.

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.