I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.

  • Major late-season winter storm forecast to bring up to 50 cm (20 inches) of snow and freezing rain to northern Manitoba, Canada

    ByTeo Blašković

    A major late-season winter storm is forecast to impact northern Manitoba, Canada, beginning Wednesday evening, April 22, 2026, bringing 30–50 cm (12–20 inches) of snow, freezing rain, and strong winds. The system will produce rain or freezing rain across central regions before transitioning to heavy snow through Saturday, creating hazardous travel conditions and increasing the risk of power outages.

  • Large wildfire damages structures in Otsuchi, Japan

    ByTeo Blašković

    A large wildfire in Otsuchi, Japan, on April 22, 2026, caused structural damage and evacuations after spreading from woodland into residential zones. At least five buildings were destroyed, with estimates of around 9 ha (22 acres) burned and about 130 people evacuated based on the latest available data.

  • Multi-state Red Flag Warnings issued as strong winds and very low humidity raise wildfire danger across the central U.S.

    ByTeo Blašković

    Red Flag Warnings are in effect across a broad swath of the Plains, Rockies, and parts of the Upper Midwest on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, as strong winds, very low relative humidity, and dry fuels create critical fire weather conditions. The National Weather Service warns that any fires that start could spread quickly and be hard to control. In some areas, isolated dry thunderstorms may produce lightning with little or no rain, increasing the risk of new fires.

  • Pineland Road Fire explodes to over 6 000 ha (16 000 acres) as over 100 fires burn across Georgia

    ByTeo Blašković

    Wildfires driven by drought conditions spread across Georgia, United States, with at least 112 active fires burning approximately 9 164 ha (22 643 acres) as of April 22. The largest blaze, the Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County, reached 6 686 ha (16 516 acres) with 10% containment, while multiple fires continued to expand under dry and windy conditions.

  • Damaging ice shoves push into homes in Cheboygan County, Michigan

    ByTeo Blašković

    Wind-driven ice shoves struck multiple lakes in Cheboygan County, Michigan, during an ongoing flooding event in April 2026, pushing onshore and into residential structures. The event is unfolding as elevated water levels from snowmelt and recent rainfall continue to drive flooding and evacuations across northern Michigan.

  • Lyrid meteor shower peaks April 22 under favorable skies

    ByTeo Blašković

    Earth will intersect the Lyrid meteor stream on April 22, 2026, marking the peak of this annual celestial event, with meteor rates averaging 10–20 per hour under optimal conditions. The event is best observed during the pre-dawn hours when the radiant in the constellation Lyra reaches a higher elevation.

  • Record rainfall triggers flooding and evacuations in Wellington, New Zealand, one person missing

    ByTeo Blašković

    Severe flooding and landslides struck Wellington, New Zealand, between April 20 and 21, 2026, after 77 mm (3 inches) of rain fell in less than 1 hour, prompting evacuations across multiple suburbs and leaving one person missing. A state of emergency remains in place as saturated ground and additional rainfall maintain the risk of further flooding and landslides.

  • Subsequent earthquake advisory issued after M7.4 event, elevated large-earthquake risk, Japan

    ByTeo Blašković

    Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued an official advisory warning of an elevated risk of a larger earthquake along its Pacific coast on April 20, 2026, after a M7.4 quake near the Japan Trench at 07:53 UTC (16:53 local time). The agency estimates about a 1% chance of a Mw7.8 or greater earthquake occurring within seven days, based on historical statistics.

  • Major M7.4 earthquake hits near east coast of Honshu, Japan, tsunami waves observed along Tohoku coast

    ByTeo Blašković

    A major earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.4 struck near the east coast of Honshu, Japan, at 07:53 UTC (16:53 local time) on April 20, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). JMA and EMSC are reporting M7.4 at a depth of 10 km (6 miles). According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), hazardous tsunami waves are possible within 300 km (186 miles) of the epicenter.