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.

  • Extreme Heat Watches issued for Utah, Montana, and northern Wyoming, temperatures up to 43°C (110°F) forecast through July 27

    ByRishav Kothari

    Extreme Heat Watches have been issued for large portions of Utah, Montana, and north-central Wyoming as widespread dangerous heat is forecast from Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26, with some areas remaining under hazardous conditions into early next week. Afternoon temperatures are forecast to reach 35 to 43°C (95 to 110°F), while unusually warm nights across northern Utah are expected to limit overnight cooling and increase cumulative heat stress.

  • Extreme Heat Warnings issued for parts of Arizona, California and Nevada, temperatures above 49°C (120°F) forecast

    ByRishav Kothari

    Extreme Heat Warnings have been issued across large parts of Arizona, California, and Nevada as a prolonged heat event is forecast to persist through at least Monday, July 27, 2026. Afternoon temperatures are expected to reach 38 to above 49°C (100 to more than 120°F), while exceptionally warm overnight lows are forecast to provide little relief, significantly increasing the risk of heat-related illness.

  • Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall in St Bernard Parish, Louisiana, heads toward upper Texas coast

    ByRishav Kothari

    Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall at approximately in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana at approximately 13:50 CDT (18:50 UTC)on July 22, 2026, with maximum sustained winds of 72 km/h (45 mph). Storm surge of up to 1 m (3 feet), rainfall totals of 25 to 100 mm (1 to 4 inches) with isolated amounts reaching 150 mm (6 inches), and isolated flash flooding remain possible across portions of the central and western Gulf Coast through July 24.

  • State of Emergency declared for West Virginia after historic flooding

    ByRishav Kothari

    Historic flooding in Upshur County and widespread impacts from severe thunderstorms prompted West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey to declare a State of Emergency for all 55 counties on July 21, 2026. The Sand Run stream gauge near Buckhannon rose to record levels, reportedly reaching major flood stage for the first time on record. Meanwhile, torrential rainfall totals of up to 127 mm (5 inches) in less than six hours caused flash flooding, infrastructure damage, and multiple road closures.

  • Four tornadoes confirmed in central Pennsylvania, including EF2 in Huntingdon County

    ByRishav Kothari

    Four tornadoes touched down across central Pennsylvania on July 18, 2026, as a line of severe thunderstorms crossed the region, according to National Weather Service damage surveys. The tornadoes included one EF2, two EF1s, and one EF0, producing damage in Huntingdon, Clearfield, Jefferson, and Clarion counties. Despite considerable damage to forests, farms and other structures, no injuries or fatalities were reported.

  • At least 5 killed as flash floods and landslides devastate Lai Châu and Lào Cai in northern Vietnam

    ByRishav Kothari

    At least five people have died after torrential monsoon rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides between July 15 and 18, 2026, affecting Lai Châu and Lào Cai provinces in northern Vietnam. The People’s Committee of Lai Chau Province declared a state of emergency as flooding destroyed homes, washed out sections of major highways, and caused significant agricultural losses. Heavy rainfall is forecast across northern mountainous and midland regions through July 19 as rescue and relief efforts continue.

  • 8 dead, 34 missing after landslide buries more than 10 buildings in Chongqing, China

    ByRishav Kothari

    At least eight people have been confirmed dead and 34 remain missing after a mountainside collapsed onto a residential area in southwestern China’s Chongqing Municipality on July 17, 2026, burying more than 10 buildings beneath thousands of cubic meters of rock and soil. Rescue operations continued into July 18 despite persistent rain, unstable terrain, and the risk of additional collapses.