I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
Super Typhoon Bavi crossed the Northern Mariana Islands as a Category 5 cyclone on Monday, July 6, 2026, bringing maximum sustained winds of 290 km/h (180 mph) to Rota as the eyewall passed over the island. Local officials reported major damage while emergency warnings remained in effect across the Marianas.
Three children died after a recreational boat carrying 10 people capsized on Geneva Lake in southeastern Wisconsin during a sudden severe storm on Friday, July 3, 2026. Seven occupants were rescued, while the City of Lake Geneva declared a state of emergency as the storm caused widespread damage across the community.
Severe thunderstorms driven by extreme heat and abundant moisture swept across the Midwest and Northeast on Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4, 2026 toppling trees, damaging power infrastructure and disrupting holiday travel across one of the busiest weekends of the year. Utility crews continued restoration efforts after hundreds of thousands of customers lost electricity across multiple states and parts of Ontario.
Super Typhoon Bavi reached Category 5 strength over the western North Pacific on Saturday, July 4, 2026 as it tracked toward the Mariana Islands. Forecasters expect the cyclone to pass very near Rota before moving between Guam and Saipan on Monday morning. Typhoon warnings have been issued for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan amid forecasts of destructive winds, life-threatening coastal inundation, widespread flash flooding and catastrophic damage early next week.
Typhoon Bavi rapidly intensified over the western North Pacific on Friday, July 3, 2026, increasing from 157 km/h (98 mph) to 194 km/h (121 mph) within six hours. The storm is forecast continue strengthening potentially becoming a Category 5 equivalent super typhoon by Sunday, July 5. Typhoon, tropical storm and flood watches remained in effect Friday across Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
A dangerous heat wave continued to intensify across much of the central and eastern United States on Friday, July 3, 2026. Numerous daily temperature records have already broken and more are expected through the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of widespread Major to Extreme HeatRisk and heat index values reaching 46°C (115°F).
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Southwestern Ryukyu Islands, Japan at 04:04 UTC (13:04 LT) on July 3, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6 miles). EMSC is reporting the same depth and magnitude. There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit Halmahera, Indonesia, at 02:31 UTC on July 3, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 121 km (75 miles). EMSC is reporting the same depth and magnitude.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed parts of eastern South Dakota, southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa under an Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms through Thursday, July 2, 2026. A broader Slight Risk extends from the Dakotas into the western Great Lakes and includes western Kansas, the Tennessee Valley and the southern Appalachians. Damaging wind gusts and large hail are expected to be the primary severe weather hazards across the affected regions.
At least 59 people have died in flooding across the Ivory Coast since the start of the rainy season in mid-May, the government said on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Days of heavy rain triggered deadly flooding and landslides in Abidjan, in Attécoubé claiming 20 lives. Officials said some residents had returned to high-risk sites after previously being relocated.
