At a Glance Some parts of the Tahoe region saw more than 9 feet of snow.The California Highway Patrol implored skiers to stay off the roads.Towns along the routes to the mountains were inundated with stuck travelers.Businesses couldn't handle the crowds and fights broke out in the street. All that fresh snow and no way to get to it. That has been the dilemma facing many skiers and snowboarders hoping to hit the slopes this Presidents Day holiday weekend. Now...

At a Glance Water from floods in Queensland swept up sediment and pollution.Large plumes have reached the Great Barrier Reef.The plumes could prevent light from reaching the reef or cause harmful algae blooms. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is facing yet another threat. Runoff from floods that have devastated parts of Queensland recently have created large polluted plumes that are reaching the reef, scientists say. Frederieke Kroon, who leads the Australian Institute of Marine Science's (AIMS) water quality team, told the...

A burrowing owl stands near the Salton Sea in California, on May 24, 2007. Researchers have discovered a group of rare owls thriving in a nature preserve near Los Angeles International Airport. (Douglas Barnum, U.S. Geological Survey via AP) At a Glance Researchers have found a group of 10 burrowing owls in the LAX Dunes Preserve.The preserve sits right on the edge of Los Angeles International Airport.The beachside community of Surfridge was dismantled to make room for airport growth.Restoration of...

At a Glance Climate scientist Wallace "Wally" Broecker died Monday at the age of 87.Among other things, Broecker was known for bringing the term "global warming" to a mainstream audience.For his extensive studies of the topic, he became known as the "Grandfather of Climate Science." The climate scientist responsible for popularizing the term "global warming" died Monday at the age of 87. Wallace "Wally" Broecker passed away at a New York City hospital on Monday, according to Columbia University, where...

A Florida black bear rummages in a trash can in the Ocala National Forest. (National Park Service) At a Glance The Juniper Prairie Wilderness will remain closed until March 13.Bears have been attracted to improperly stored food. A ranger says the bears will rip into a tent, whether someone is in it or not. Wildlife officials have closed a wilderness area in Florida's Ocala National Forest because of "increased bear activity." The Juniper Prairie Wilderness "for the protection of public...

A Nepalese sherpa collects garbage left by climbers on Mount Everest at an altitude of about 26,000 feet during a clean-up expedition in 2010. (Namgyal Sherpa/AFP/Getty Images) At a Glance Tourists without climbing permits will not be allowed at China's base camp.The Chinese hope to reduce the amount of trash left on the mountain.More than 9 tons of trash was removed from areas higher than 17,000 feet last year. The piles of trash have gotten so bad on Mount Everest...

At a Glance The moon reaches perigee, its closest point to Earth, on Tuesday.Because perigee coincides with the full moon, it's called a supermoon.One astronomer says most people won't be able to notice any difference in the moon. Tuesday’s full moon will be the biggest and brightest of three supermoons this year. Okay, it's not really bigger or brighter. The full moon appears that way because it will be at the point in its orbit that is closest to the...

Lightning strikes the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) during a summer thunderstorm in downtown Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) At a Glance Climate change is making summer weather systems weaker.Weaker systems means pollution could linger in cities longer, instead of being cleared out quickly.Heat waves could also last longer.At the same time, thunderstorms are more destructive. Climate change is altering North America's summer weather systems in a way that could mean more lingering pollution, stronger thunderstorms and longer heat waves, a...

At a Glance Winter Storm Petra left dangerous travel conditions that were blamed for four deaths.In Washington D.C., schools and federal offices were closed Wednesday because of the storm.More than 2,300 domestic flights were canceled Wednesday. Winter Storm Petra pushed into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast Wednesday as major cities prepared for a treacherous evening commute. The storm is being blames for at least four deaths, including a after she lost control of her vehicle on a snow Delaware road, NBC...

File photo of Pakistani commuters crossing a flooded street after heavy rain in Karachi on Jan. 21, 2019. (ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images) At a Glance At least nine were killed in central Pakistan in three incidents of roofs collapsing amid the rains.Seventeen others were killed in the flooding. Torrential rainfall in Pakistan Thursday triggered flash flooding that left at least 26 people dead. The provincial Disaster Management Authority said 14 people, including children, were killed in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering...

A view of the mysterious dragon aurora snapped in Iceland on Feb. 18, 2019. (Jingyi Zhang and Wang Zheng) At a Glance A dragon-shaped aurora enthralled skygazers in Iceland earlier this month.The aurora was also unusual considering there were no discernible sunspots on the sun in February, typically a precursor for auroras. NASA released a spectacular image this week of an aurora captured in the Icelandic night sky resembling a massive dragon unfurling its wings. While the norther lights that...

At a Glance Americans each use three rolls of toilet paper a week on average, the report says.Much of that paper has no recycled content. It is made from ancient Canadian forests.The report says manufacturers should use alternative fibers and more recycled content. Americans’ desire for soft toilet paper — and lots of it — is destroying ancient Canadian forests, two environmental groups said this week. In a report titled , the Natural Resources Defense Council and Stand.earth say the...