Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

  • Dangerous heat wave to spread across the Western and Central US, maximum temperatures up to 43°C (110°F)

    ByRishav Kothari

    The first widespread and significant heat wave of the summer is forecast to develop across the Intermountain West and Plains beginning Friday, July 10, 2026. Widespread temperatures above 38°C (100°F) are forecast, with isolated highs of up to 43°C (110°F). The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) forecasts widespread Major (Level 3) to locally Extreme (Level 4) HeatRisk between Friday and Wednesday, July 10 and 15.

  • Record-high temperatures at the Potomac River linked to localized fish kill in Maryland

    ByRishav Kothari

    Record-breaking water temperatures at the Potomac River on July 4, 2026, are being linked to a localized fish kill in Maryland. The water temperatures reached a record high of 34.7°C (94.4°F) near Little Falls amid a record-breaking heatwave. Significant fish mortality was reported along a stretch of the river between White’s Ferry and Violette’s Lock soon after.

  • Typhoon Bavi to bring extreme rain to Taiwan before landfall in eastern China

    ByRishav Kothari

    Typhoon Bavi continued to weaken gradually on July 9, 2026, while tracking toward northern Taiwan and eastern China. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration warned of up to 900 mm (35 inches) of rain in northern mountainous areas through Sunday, while Chinese authorities forecast landfall along the Fujian–Zhejiang coast on the evening of July 11.

  • Extreme Heat Watches issued for parts of Montana, Wyoming, and Utah

    ByRishav Kothari

    The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued multiple Extreme Heat Watches across Montana, northern Wyoming, and Utah through Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, 2026. Temperatures above 38°C (100°F) are forecast across the watch areas. Some areas could see potentially record breaking heat with isolated highs of up to 43°C (110°F) being forecast.

  • EF2 tornado injures two, damages homes near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

    ByRishav Kothari

    Two people were injured after an EF2 tornado swept through the Detroit Lakes area of Becker County, Minnesota, on July 6, 2026, according to a National Weather Service damage survey. Survey teams estimated peak winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and significant damage along the twister’s path.

  • Super Typhoon Bavi weakens slightly as Taiwan, Yaeyama Islands and eastern China brace for impacts

    ByRishav Kothari

    Super Typhoon Bavi maintained Category 4-equivalent intensity over the Philippine Sea on July 8, 2026, with maximum sustained winds of 250 km/h (155 mph) and higher gusts. The cyclone is forecast to weaken gradually before passing near Taiwan and Japan’s Yaeyama Islands around July 11 and making a possible landfall along the eastern coast of China around July 12.

  • Ohio storms kill 5-year-old boy as historic rainfall floods Kelleys Island

    ByRishav Kothari

    Severe storms and flash flooding affected parts of Ohio on July 5 and 6, 2026, killing a 5-year-old boy in Monroe County and producing historic and potentially record-breaking rainfall on Kelleys Island. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado and a destructive macroburst in Mahoning County, where straight-line winds downed nearly 1 000 trees.