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.

  • Extreme drought fuels rapid wildfire growth in South Florida’s Big Cypress Preserve

    ByTeo Blašković

    A fast-moving wildfire known as the National Fire burned approximately 10 117 ha (25 000 acres) in Big Cypress National Preserve, Collier County, Florida, between February 22 and 25, 2026, expanding from about 405 ha (1 000 acres) and remaining at 0% containment. The fire spread under extreme drought conditions, affecting nearly all of Florida. Smoke reduced visibility along Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley), State Road 29, and U.S. 41, prompting transportation advisories and area closures.

  • Adaptive kernel density estimation reveals possible gaps in geomagnetic reversal record

    ByTeo Blašković

    A revised statistical reconstruction of Earth’s magnetic polarity history suggests that some short-duration geomagnetic reversals may be absent from the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale, particularly during four intervals following the Cretaceous Normal Superchron approximately 83 million years ago. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters in 2026, applies a cross-validated adaptive-bandwidth kernel density estimation method to analyze reversal frequency in the GPTS 2020 dataset. The results identify localized dips in modeled reversal frequency that may correspond to undocumented short-lived polarity switches.

  • At least 30 dead and 39 missing after extreme rainfall causes severe flooding and landslides in Minas Gerais, Brazil

    ByTeo Blašković

    Severe flooding and landslides struck the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais between February 23 and 24, 2026, following extreme rainfall that exceeded three times the monthly average. At least 30 people died, 39 remain missing, and more than 3 000 were displaced as torrential downpours caused the Paraibuna River to overflow in Juiz de Fora and inundate parts of Ubá.

  • Tropical Cyclone Horacio becomes strongest storm of 2026 east of Mauritius

    ByTeo Blašković

    Tropical Cyclone Horacio intensified to a Category 5-equivalent system over the central Southwest Indian Ocean east of Mauritius on February 22, 2026, becoming the strongest tropical cyclone recorded globally this year. The storm reached sustained winds near 260 km/h (160 mph) before moving southward over open waters.

  • Backcountry Avalanche Watch in effect for Greater Lake Tahoe area along California–Nevada border

    ByTeo Blašković

    A Backcountry Avalanche Watch is in effect for the Greater Lake Tahoe area due to high avalanche danger associated with a rain-on-snow event. The National Weather Service Reno and the Sierra Avalanche Center warn that widespread avalanche activity is possible, including large avalanches capable of burying or injuring people. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during the watch period.

  • Two fatalities reported after tree collapses onto moving vehicle during Nor’easter in Maryland

    ByTeo Blašković

    Two people were killed and another seriously injured after a large tree fell onto a moving vehicle in Calvert County, Maryland, at approximately 16:40 LT on February 22, 2026, during a powerful Nor’easter affecting the region. The incident occurred on Solomons Island Road (Route 2) near Aspen Woods Drive in Sunderland. The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and the third occupant was transported to a medical facility in critical condition.

  • Major Nor’easter produces hurricane-force gusts, up to 66 cm (24 inches) of snow and widespread outages across Northeast U.S.

    ByTeo Blašković

    Heavy snow and strong winds continued across the northeastern United States on February 23, 2026, as a major Nor’easter that began February 22 produced blizzard conditions, widespread travel disruption, scattered power outages, and minor to moderate coastal flooding from the Chesapeake Bay to New England. Over 660 000 customers from Virginia to New York and Massachusetts are without power.

  • Near-zero visibility and multiple accidents reported on I-80 during extreme blizzard in New Jersey

    ByTeo Blašković

    Multiple accidents and stranded vehicles were reported along Interstate 80 in northern New Jersey late on February 22 and into February 23 as a powerful Nor’easter brought blizzard conditions to the region. Authorities closed sections of the highway near Paterson while crews worked to remove vehicles and clear snow drifts amid winds exceeding 80 km/h (50 mph).

  • Rare deep M7.1 earthquake hits beneath the Sulu Sea near Sabah, Malaysia

    ByTeo Blašković

    A powerful and deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.1 struck off the coast of Kota Belud, Malaysia, at 16:57 UTC on February 22, 2026. The agency reported a depth of 620 km (385 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. Due to the great depth, no tsunami was generated, and damage is unlikely. This is the largest earthquake recorded near Malaysia since the M6.6 quake in Lahad Datu in 1923.