Ottawa breaks daily rainfall record set in 1942, Canada

Arkansas River approaching historic highs, at least 7 killed as severe storms march through central U.S.

Another wave of severe thunderstorms is affecting the central United States since Monday, May 20, 2019, with heavy rain and nearly 100 tornadoes. At least 7 weather-related deaths were confirmed since May 21. Meanwhile, Arkansas River is approaching historic highs....

Violent tornadoes hit Missouri, extensive damage reported, at least 3 deaths and 20 injured

Another wave of severe thunderstorms hit central United States Wednesday into Thursday, May 22 into 23, 2019. The National Weather Service received 38 tornado reports over the past 24, of which one violent tore directly through Jefferson City, Missouri. There have...

Shallow M6.1 earthquake hits Andreanof Islands, Alaska

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit off the coast of Amatignak Island, Alaska at 08:45 UTC on May 23, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 27.8 km (17.3 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 56 km (34.8 miles). The epicenter...

African swine fever outbreak in China altering global crop and livestock patterns

At least 130 African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks were reported across China since August 2018. The virus is killing pigs across the globe and could alter global crop and livestock patterns. China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) reported April 23...

Mississippi River above flood stage for 137 days

As of May 21, 2019, the Mississippi River at Natchez, MS has been above the flood stage of 14.63 m (48 feet) for 137 consecutive days. This is well longer than any time since 1927 when the previous record of 77 days was set. "The Mississippi River has been...

Cerro Blanco eruption among the largest in last 11 700 years, comparable to massive Santorini eruption

Cerro Blanco Volcanic Complex, located in the south of the Altiplano-Puna plateau, erupted around 4 200 years ago in one of the largest eruptions of the last 5 000 years in the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes. In addition, the estimated volume of ejected ash...

At least 16 killed as severe floods hit Paraguay

Heavy rainfall has been affecting northern, central-eastern and south-eastern Paraguay since the beginning of April, triggering floods that resulted in casualties and widespread damage. The most affected are Presidente Hayes, Central, San Pedro, Concepción,...

Extremely heavy rain hits Yakushima Island, Japan - 420 mm (16.5 inches) in 12 hours

A warm and humid air current blowing from the east brought extremely heavy rain to Japan's southern Yakushima Island on Saturday, May 18, 2019. More than 12 000 residents were asked to evacuate immediately. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA),...

Severe floods hit capital Bamako, claiming at least 15 lives, Bali

The start of the rainy season claimed the lives of at least 15 people and caused significant damage in Bamako, Mali. Flooding streets, floating cars and injured residents were just some of the things that the city lived through on May 17, 2019. A sudden, heavy...

Significant outbreak of severe thunderstorms, violent tornadoes, and heavy rain in the Plains, U.S.

A significant outbreak of severe thunderstorms, violent tornadoes, and heavy rain is expected across the U.S. Plains on Monday, May 20, 2019. A potent spring storm system is expected to produce an outbreak of severe weather in parts of the Plains today, NWS...

Small asteroid explodes over Australia

An asteroid with an estimated diameter of 1.2 m (3.9 feet) streaked through the night sky over central Australia around 14:50 UTC on May 19 (00:20 ACST May 20) and was captured by multiple cameras. The event lasted several seconds before the object disintegrated in...

A major severe weather outbreak in Texas and Oklahoma

Very dangerous weather is expected in parts of Texas and Oklahoma today. High Risks of flash flooding and severe weather are in place for Monday and Monday evening, May 20, 2019. An outbreak of tornadoes, some potentially long-track and violent, is expected today...

First tropical cyclone of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season developing SW of Bermuda

The first tropical cyclone of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season is brewing southwest of Bermuda. Formation chance through the next 48 hours is 60%, NHC said 02:00 EDT (06:00 UTC), May 20, 2019. Satellite-derived wind data indicate that a trough of low pressure has...

40 000 troops on standby as extremely heavy rain hits Taiwan, debris flow warnings issued for 214 streams

Extremely heavy and heavy rain warnings are in place in most of Taiwan on Monday, May 20, 2019. Warnings against debris flows were issued for 214 streams. The country's Ministry of National Defence (MND) has placed 39 000 soldiers on standby to help residents...

Floods leave 600 000 ha (1.5 million acres) of crops damaged or destroyed, Argentina

Severe floods affecting Argentinan province of Santiago del Estero this month affected around 600 000 hectares (1 480 000 acres) of crops and caused at least 700 people to evacuate. The worst affected were rural towns of Los Juries and El Cuadrado in the...

Worst drought in 116 years hits Australian wheat production

The worst drought in more than a century is affecting parts of Australia, causing severe grain shortage in what is usually an outstanding surplus producing country. The condition resulted in a significant shipment of wheat from Canada, approved on May 9 and expected...

Second M6.3 earthquake hits off the coast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit off the coast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia at 14:56 UTC on May 19, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). This is the second M6.3 earthquake to hit the region since 01:23...