Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe.

Winter Storm: A massive winter storm is pounding the Midwest on its way to New England. Areas near Chicago could see up to 2 feet (0.6 meters) of snow. [Related: Winter's Snow Cover Seen from Space .]

1,000-Foot Fall: A British climber fell 1,000-feet down a mountain in the Scottish Highlands and lived to talk about it. His secret? Lots of snow and lots of dumb luck.

Sea Cucumbers Seized: Two boats carrying about 3,500 pounds (1,600 kilograms) of poached sea cucumber was seized in India.

Yasi Evacuations: Coastal cities in Australia continue to evacuate as Cyclone Yasi bears down on flood-ravaged Queensland.

Dark Sky Island: With no paved roads, no cars and no public street lighting, Sark, the smallest of four landmasses in the U.K.'s Channel Islands, has very little light pollution. The International Dark-Sky Association named Sark the world's first "dark sky island."

Previously on Our Daily Planet: Whopper Winter Storm and Cyclone Yasi

Reach OurAmazingPlanet staff writer Brett Israel at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @btisrael.