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.

  • Multiple people missing, more than 100 houses collapse in Putian as Typhoon Saudel floods Fujian, China

    ByRishav Kothari

    Multiple people were missing, and more than 100 houses had collapsed in Huating Town, Putian, after Typhoon Saudel brought heavy rain and severe flooding across Fujian on September 3, 2026. Authorities had evacuated 83 700 people from risk areas, while NMC recorded local rainfall totals reaching 565.5 mm (22.26 inches) in some areas. Fifty rivers in Fujian exceeded warning levels at 74 hydrological stations between September 3 and 4.

  • Atmospheric river targets Pacific Northwest as Tropical Storm Marie boosts California rainfall risk

    ByRishav Kothari

    An early-season atmospheric river associated with a potent upper-level closed low is forecast to bring 25–75 mm (1–3 inches) of precipitation to parts of the western United States through 05:00 PT (12:00 UTC) on September 5, 2026. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) placed interior northern California, eastern Oregon, and western Idaho under a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall for September 3–4, while Marie-related moisture raised a separate, more uncertain California rainfall risk later in the forecast period.

  • El Niño forecast to become very strong by late 2026, raising extreme weather risks into 2027

    ByRishav Kothari

    El Niño is forecast to strengthen to very strong intensity during late 2026, with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicating an exceptionally high likelihood of nearly 100% that El Niño conditions will persist through February 2027. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) separately gives a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event during Northern Hemisphere fall and winter 2026–27. A very strong El Niño increases the likelihood of major shifts in rainfall and temperature patterns across many regions, although the severity of impacts varies by location and season.

  • M6.2 earthquake hits South Sandwich Islands region

    ByRishav Kothari

    A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit the South Sandwich Islands region at 23:46 UTC on September 2, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 126 km (78 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.

  • Heat indices of over 43°C (110°F) forecast in South Texas as prolonged heat wave shifts south

    ByRishav Kothari

    A long-duration heat wave affecting the central and eastern United States is forecast to shift its most intense conditions into the south-central states this weekend and early next week, according to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC). High humidity and very warm nights are expected to contribute to widespread Major to Extreme HeatRisk, with heat indices potentially exceeding 43.3°C (110°F) in South Texas.

  • Edouard weakens to tropical depression over Texas, WPC warns of significant flash flooding

    ByRishav Kothari

    Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall near Johnson Bayou, Louisiana, at 14:20 CDT (19:20 UTC) on September 1 with winds of 95 km/h (60 mph), then weakened to a tropical depression over southeastern Texas. The Weather Prediction Center forecast storm-total rainfall of 102–203 mm (4–8 inches), with localized totals near 305 mm (12 inches), while Flood Watches remained in effect and approximately 70 000 Entergy Texas customers were without power late September 1.

  • RKI estimates 15 800 heat-related deaths, Germany records second-warmest summer since 1881

    ByRishav Kothari

    The Robert Koch Institute estimated 15 800 heat-related deaths in Germany between April 6 and August 16, while the German Weather Service provisionally ranked the June–August period as the country’s second-warmest summer since records began in 1881. Germany’s seasonal mean reached 19.6°C (67.3°F), only 0.1°C (0.2°F) below the 2003 record.

  • NWS heat advisories cover parts of 17 states on September 1, heat indices up to 43°C (110°F) forecast, U.S.

    ByRishav Kothari

    Heat Advisories covered a broad corridor from the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley through the Midwest, Ohio Valley and parts of the Mid-Atlantic on September 1, 2026. National Weather Service (NWS) offices forecast heat indices from around 37.2°C (99°F) to 43°C (110°F), with several multi-day products citing limited overnight relief as a factor in maintaining the advisories.

  • Grand Canyon flash flood leaves at least two dead, forces Stage 4 water restrictions, Arizona

    ByRishav Kothari

    Two people died and one remained unaccounted for after flash flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, on August 29, 2026. About 80 people were rescued, while the National Park Service said approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged or destroyed, leaving it non-operational and prompting Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim.

  • Tropical Storm Edouard strengthens in northern Gulf, Hurricane Watch issued for Texas and Louisiana

    ByRishav Kothari

    Tropical Storm Edouard was strengthening over the northern Gulf early on September 1, 2026, after Tropical Depression Five became a named storm at 00:00 UTC. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a Hurricane Watch and Storm Surge Warning for portions of the Upper Texas and southwestern Louisiana coasts at 03:00 UTC, warning that Edouard could approach hurricane strength before reaching the northwestern Gulf Coast later on September 1.