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.
The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) has started shifting into its negative phase this week, likely caused by a recent sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event over Antarctica, which is expected to bring colder and wetter conditions to southern Australia.
Heavy downpours and thunderstorms continued to affect the southeastern United States, particularly Texas, resulting in severe flooding and road blockages. Governor Greg Abbott activated emergency response teams to mitigate flash flooding risks as the Guadalupe River in Kerrville reached flood levels for the first time since 2018.
A blaze that ignited on July 20, 2024, at Ensign Peak near Salt Lake City, Utah, prompted a mandatory evacuation order for residents north of Dorchester Drive and a voluntary evacuation for neighborhoods west of East Capitol Boulevard. By the evening of July 21, firefighters had achieved 10% containment and lifted the evacuation order. Despite ongoing containment efforts, the fire’s proximity to homes, infrastructure, and gas lines remains a concern.
Wildfires in northern Alberta prompted evacuations of three communities as the province contends with five significant blazes posing a severe threat to safety and infrastructure. Over 5 000 residents were affected, covering 62 000 ha (150 000 acres). Meanwhile, British Columbia is battling over 300 wildfires, exacerbated by a three-week heatwave. High temperatures and lightning have caused widespread evacuation orders, with firefighters struggling to contain the rapidly spreading flames across both provinces.
Severe thunderstorms caused severe flooding in France’s Haute-Marne department on July 20, 2024, leaving significant damage and injuring at least 5 people.
Satellite images taken on July 19, 2024, suggest Japan’s Iwo-Jima volcano, also known as Ioto and Ogasawara-Iojima, has entered a new eruptive period.
A total of 19 lava flows were detected on Mount Merapi, Indonesia on July 20, 2024. The maximum glide distance of the lava flows was 1.7 km (1 mile), accompanied by pyroclastic flows with a sliding distance of 1.2 km (3 900 feet).
Sudden downpours and flash flooding caused a highway bridge to partially collapse on July 19, 2024, in China’s Zhashui County, claiming 11 lives. More than 30 people have been reported missing as of July 20.
A massive Saharan dust plume reached South Florida on July 20, 2024, causing reduced air quality and hazy skies. Rain is also forecasted for the weekend, and the mix of dust and precipitation is expected to bring dirty rains to Florida.
A massive sandstorm struck Dunhuang City in northwestern China’s Gansu province on July 19, 2024, causing significant traffic disruption.
