Landslide kills at least 13, leaves 30 missing in Burutsi village, North Kivu, DR Congo
A landslide killed at least 13 people and left 30 more missing in the Burutsi village, Kashebere area of Walikale Territory, DR Congo, on January 13, 2026.
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.
Powerful winter storm drops 30% of monthly precipitation across Kamchatka in 24 hours
A powerful winter storm struck the Kamchatka Peninsula overnight on January 13, 2026, dropping 30% of the region’s monthly precipitation in 24 hours. Small avalanches were reported in snow-covered neighborhoods across the region. The storm added to existing accumulations from previous winter storms, one of which brought the heaviest snowfall on record to Moscow between January 8 and 9.
Deadly avalanches strike the French Alps, leaving six dead in Savoie resorts
At least six people have been killed in separate avalanche incidents across the French Alps, with the latest fatalities being reported on January 11, 2026.
Multiple avalanches reported in Alaska, prompting road closures and evacuations near Juneau
Multiple avalanches have been reported across parts of Alaska, prompting road closures and evacuations near Juneau as precipitation and heightened avalanche risk continue across the region through January 13, 2026.
Avalanche kills 2 near Long Pass, Washington
At least 2 people were killed by an avalanche near Long Pass in Washington’s Cascade Mountains on January 9, 2026, while two others were safely rescued.
Tropical Cyclone Koji brings severe flooding across north and central Queensland, Australia
Tropical Cyclone Koji brought torrential rainfall and widespread flooding to north and central Queensland on January 12, 2026, following its landfall near Ayr and Bowen a day before. Major flood warnings are in effect for multiple river systems, with rainfall totals of up to 600 mm (24 inches) in some areas, while thousands of customers remain without power. Emergency crews have conducted rescues and evacuations as the system moves inland, continuing to produce heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Wildfires burn 15 000 ha (37 000 acres), forcing thousands to evacuate in Argentine Patagonia
At least one person has been injured by wildfires that have burned over 15 000 ha (37 000 acres) across the Chubut Province since early January 2026. On Sunday, January 11, the governor confirmed that the largest of the fires was set off intentionally, and a reward has been placed for any information on the culprits.
Severe blizzards and heavy snow forecast across Japan as winter pressure pattern intensifies
Severe blizzards with heavy snow and strong winds are forecast to hit much of Japan through Monday, January 12, 2026. These conditions will affect areas from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the southwest, especially along the Sea of Japan coast, with snow totals of upto 80 cm (31 inches) being forecast in mountainous regions.
La Niña breakdown underway as models point to ENSO-neutral conditions in early 2026
La Niña conditions in the equatorial Pacific show signs of a transition toward ENSO-neutral conditions, with potential for El Niño development later in 2026. Observations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) show subsurface ocean warming and westerly wind anomalies across the central Pacific, indicating the breakdown of the three-year La Niña phase.
Flash flood warnings issued across southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, and central Alabama
Multiple flash flood warnings were issued early on January 10, across southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, and central Alabama as thunderstorms produced intense rainfall exceeding 75 mm (3 inches) in several locations.
