Atmospheric river forecast to bring heavy snow and rain to Northern Alaska
An atmospheric river is forecast to impact northern Alaska on Thursday, January 23, 2025, bringing in strong winds along with heavy snow through the weekend.
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.
Astronomers discover extreme supersonic winds on a ‘puffy’ exoplanet
Astronomers have detected the fastest atmospheric jet stream ever recorded, with winds reaching 33 000 km/h (20 505 mph), on the gas giant exoplanet WASP-127b, located over 500 light-years from Earth.
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.
Historic winter storm claims 10 lives across U.S. Gulf Coast, shatters snowfall records
A rare and historic winter storm swept through the southeastern U.S. over the past two days, leaving at least 10 people dead and shattering snow records across the region.
Blazes break out in San Diego as Santa Ana winds return to California
Multiple wildfires fueled by Santa Ana winds erupted across northern San Diego County on January 20 and 21, 2025, forcing evacuations, damaging structures, and burning more than 74 ha (182 acres).
Houston basketball game postponed as historic winter storm sweeps over the Southeast
A historic winter storm sweeping through the southeast United States has forced the postponement of the basketball game between Utah and Houston and is expected to bring severe weather conditions through the rest of the week.
Storm Eowyn named, Ireland and UK prepare for ‘weather bomb’
Storm Eowyn was named by the UK Met Office on January 21, 2025, as the fifth storm of the 2024/25 European storm season. The storm is forecast to intensify rapidly, bringing winds of up to 130 km/h (80 mph) and causing significant disruptions as it moves across Ireland and the UK from Thursday, January 23, into the weekend.
