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.
Kīlauea’s ongoing summit eruption entered Episode 52 at 19:10 HST (05:10 UTC on July 29), July 28, 2026, as sustained lava fountaining began from the north vent inside Halemaʻumaʻu crater, prompting the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) to raise the volcano’s Alert Level from ADVISORY to WATCH and its Aviation Color Code from YELLOW to ORANGE.
The tornado that struck Wisconsin’s Fox Valley on Tuesday, July 27, 2026 has been officially rated EF3 by the National Weather Service (NWS), with preliminary surveys estimating peak winds of 225 km/h (140 mph). The tornado formed near Appleton before moving through Fox Crossing and Menasha, while the same outbreak produced widespread wind damage and giant hail across much of northern and eastern Wisconsin.
A Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall and potentially significant flash flooding is in effect for parts of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 as an unusually strong upper-level low develops over the Northeast. The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center warns that repeated thunderstorms may produce rainfall rates of up to 51 mm (2 inches) per hour, with the greatest threat centered on the New York City tri-state region.
A destructive tornado crossed Lake Winnebago before striking communities across Wisconsin’s Fox Valley on Monday, July 27, 2026, causing extensive damage in Menasha, Appleton, and Neenah. Menasha declared a local State of Disaster as emergency crews responded to heavily damaged neighborhoods, gas leaks, and widespread infrastructure damage following a broader outbreak of severe thunderstorms.
Genevieve became the first eastern Pacific hurricane to reach Category 5 strength since Hurricane Kristy in 2024 after undergoing explosive rapid intensification on Monday, July 27, 2026. The hurricane weakened back to Category 4 later in the day as it entered an eyewall replacement cycle, with gradual weakening forecast over cooler waters during the coming days.
Massive wildfires continued to burn across southwestern Europe on Monday, July 27, as French and Spanish authorities prepared for another period of extreme heat expected later this week. More than 300 000 people have been displaced, while thousands of firefighters, aircraft and international emergency crews continue battling some of Europe’s largest wildfires. Officials warned that rising temperatures and critically dry vegetation could make containment efforts significantly more difficult.
At least 10 people were killed and 23 others injured after rain-triggered flash floods swept through the Shuangshimen Scenic Area in Weiyuan County, Dingxi City, Gansu Province, northwest China, on Sunday, July 26, 2026. Sudden heavy rainfall in the area generated powerful mountain torrents through a narrow valley during the afternoon, prompting hundreds of rescues in the area.
Typhoon Noul made landfall in Huidong County, Huizhou City, China’s Guangdong Province, at 03:50 HKT (19:50 UTC on July 25) on July 26, 2026, as a severe typhoon with 10-minute maximum sustained winds of 149-165 km/h (93-103 mph). The storm prompted Chinese authorities to raise the national emergency response for major meteorological disasters to Level 2, while more than 700 000 people were relocated across Guangdong. Rail services were suspended, hundreds of flights were canceled, and the central government allocated CNY 100 million (USD 14.8 million) to support post-typhoon recovery and reconstruction.
Dangerous surf generated by Hurricane Fausto is expected to build along east-facing shores of Hawaiʻi starting July 26, 2026, before spreading westward through July 27, with additional hazards including heavy rainfall and damaging winds possible early next week. Forecast details are expected to improve over the coming days as the hurricane approaches.
Typhoon Noul is forecast to make landfall over eastern Guangdong by July 26, 2026, bringing a significant threat of flooding across southern China. More than 20 000 people have been evacuated Guangdon with rainfall totals of 500 to 600 mm (20 to 24 inches) forecast as the storm approaches. Authorities have raised Guangdong’s emergency response for flood and typhoon control to Level III on July 25 as Typhoon Noul approached the province, while activating a Level IV flood emergency response for Jiangxi and Hunan.
