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.

  • Florida breaks all-time snowfall record as historic winter storm sweeps through the Southeast

    A historic winter storm swept through the southeastern United States this week, bringing heavy snowfall across nine states and claiming 10 lives. In Florida, Pensacola experienced unprecedented snowfall, with reports of 13 – 30 cm (5 – 12 inches) on January 21 surpassing the state’s all-time snowfall record of 10 cm (4 inches) set in Milton in 1954.

  • Rapidly spreading Hughes Fire puts 54 000 under evacuation orders or warnings as investigators probe possible human cause, California

    The Hughes Fire erupted on January 22, 2025, near Castaic Lake in northern Los Angeles County, tearing through more than 4 047 ha (10 000 acres) in just hours and triggering evacuation orders or warnings for over 54 000 residents. With no lightning strikes reported, investigators are expected to focus on potential human-related causes. Adding to concerns, unconfirmed reports suggest two individuals were spotted near the fire’s point of origin, though authorities have not yet addressed whether arson is suspected.

  • China’s artificial sun maintains 100 million °C plasma for over 17 minutes, setting a new world record

    China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), commonly known as the “artificial sun,” set a new world record on January 20, 2025, by sustaining plasma temperatures of over 100 million °C (180 million °F) for 1 066 seconds (17.7 minutes). The projects ultimate goal is to provide a source of limitless clean energy and facilitate space exploration beyond the solar system.

  • Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) puts on spectacular show in Southern Hemisphere skies

    Comet C/2024 G3 (Atlas), which made its closest approach to Earth on January 14, 2025, and reached perihelion a day later, is creating spectacular photographic opportunities as it brightens in the night sky. Astronomers and skywatchers in the Southern Hemisphere have reported a visible coma and an extended tail, making it one of the most striking comets of recent years.