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.
For the first time in 25 years of continuous International Space Station operations, NASA is preparing a medical evacuation after a crew member fell ill. The agency confirmed on January 8, 2026 that the astronaut is in stable condition and will return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
Two radar-confirmed tornadoes struck parts of Oklahoma on January 8, 2026, one near Purcell in McClain County at 07:31 LT and another south of Stella in Cleveland County at 07:45 LT. The storms damaged and destroyed multiple structures in Purcell and left more than 3 500 customers without power.
An Extreme Cold Warning was issued for parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, including interior Monterey County, San Benito County, and the eastern Santa Clara Hills. The warning will be in effect from 01:00 to 09:00 PST on January 9, 2026. Temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing, posing hazards to unhoused populations, livestock, and sensitive crops.
An Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect across western and southwestern Alaska until 18:00 AKST (03:00 UTC) on January 10, 2026, affecting the Lower Kuskokwim Valley, Kuskokwim Delta, Bristol Bay region, and the Alaska Peninsula. Wind chills are forecast to drop to −40 to −60°C (−40 to −76°F), with slightly higher values near Pilot Point and Port Heiden.
Snow squall warnings were issued for parts of Washington on January 7, 2026 as a severe winter storm brought heavy snowfall across the region, triggering multiple crashes, and prompting road closures.
The death toll from flash floods in North Sulawesi rose to 16 after floods and landslides affected several Indonesian provinces between January 5 and 7, 2026, destroying hundreds of homes and affecting more than 4 000 people, BNPB reported.
A pair of cross-country storm systems will affect large parts of the United States through Friday, January 9, 2026, bringing widespread rain, mountain snow, and a risk of severe thunderstorms. Heavy snowfall is forecast for the Cascades and the southern Rockies. Flash floods and severe thunderstorms are forecast across the Lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys by the end of the week.
Storm Goretti underwent explosive cyclogenesis, bringing widespread snow, ice, and strong winds across the United Kingdom this week. The storm was named by Meteo France on January 6, 2026. It caused major transport disruption, school closures, and power interruptions across Wales, northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The UK Met Office has issued multiple yellow and amber warnings for snow and ice, remaining in effect through January 8, 2026.
A severe winter storm has killed at least six people and disrupted transport across Europe since Monday, January 5, 2026. Heavy snow, freezing rain, and temperatures below −10°C (14°F) caused deadly accidents in France, flight cancellations in Paris and Amsterdam, along with widespread power and travel disruptions.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 struck near Baculin, Davao, Mindanao, Philippines, at 03:02 UTC (11:02 LT) on January 7, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. There is no tsunami threat from this event.
