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.
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.
A major winter storm is affecting the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, with winter storm warnings in effect through 16:00 PST on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Heavy snow is forecast to continue across the Cascades of Washington and Oregon, extending into Idaho and western Montana. Snow accumulations are forecast to reach between 30 cm and 120 cm (1 to 4 feet), with gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph) causing whiteout conditions and difficult travel across mountain passes.
Two frontal systems are forecast to bring widespread precipitation and heavy mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest between Tuesday and Thursday, January 6 and 8, 2026. The first, associated with a weakening atmospheric river, will bring rainfall to the region on Tuesday, followed by a second, stronger system on Wednesday and Thursday, January 7–8. Snowfall totals of 30–120 cm (12–48 inches) are expected across the Cascades and Olympic Mountains, with locally higher amounts above 1 500 m (5 000 feet).
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as M6.2 struck eastern Shimane Prefecture, Japan at 01:18 UTC (10:18 JST) on Tuesday, January 6, 2025, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), and was followed by multiple strong aftershocks. Roof damage, collapsed walls, and toppled gravestones are being reported in parts of the region. There is no tsunami threat from the quake.
