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.

  • Record snow buries Sapporo, 10 fatalities reported across Japan

    ByRishav Kothari

    At least ten people were killed across Japan in late January 2026 as heavy snowfall and repeated cold waves affected wide areas of the country. Sapporo surpassed total accumulations of over 1 m (3.3 feet) for the first time since 2022 on Sunday, January 25, while accumulations at Hakkōda Mountains in Aomori reached around 4.5 m (14.8 feet) by Monday, January 26. More snow and strong winds are forecast along the Sea of Japan coast through this week as a cold air mass intensifies.

  • Major U.S. winter storm claims at least 24 lives in 14 states, leaves over 1 million customers without power

    ByRishav Kothari

    A major winter storm swept across the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. over the weekend, claiming at least 24 lives as of Monday, January 26, 2026. Over a million customers, roughly 2.5 million people, were left without power as snowstorms hit the northern and northeastern regions, while freezing rain and ice storms wreaked havoc in the south. States of emergency have been declared across multiple regions as the storm’s impacts linger.

  • Stratospheric warming developing over the Arctic forecast to weaken the polar vortex and influence February weather

    ByRishav Kothari

    Meteorological forecasts show a major sudden stratospheric warming event forming over the Arctic, likely to cause significant weakening of the polar vortex in early February 2026. The resulting atmospheric disruption may alter jet-stream dynamics and increase the risk of Arctic air intrusions into North America and northern Europe during the second half of February.

  • Rare auroral glow detected within South Atlantic Anomaly during January 19 severe geomagnetic storm

    ByRishav Kothari

    Severe geomagnetic storm on January 19, 2026, generated a rare auroral glow inside the South Atlantic Anomaly, a region where Earth’s magnetic field is significantly weaker. Photographers in Brazil captured a diffuse purple band over Cambará do Sul during peak geomagnetic activity, documenting the latest in rare instances of possible auroral or SAR arc activity within the anomaly.

  • Severe snowstorm leaves 11 dead in Afghanistan

    ByRishav Kothari

    Heavy winter storms struck northern and central Afghanistan on Thursday, January 22, 2026, causing avalanches, building collapses, and road blockages across several provinces. At least 11 people were confirmed dead, with fatalities reported in Kandahar, Parwan, Bamyan, Maidan Wardak, Jawzjan, and Faryab.