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.

  • Storm Goretti brings widespread winter disruption across the UK, heavy snow in Wales

    ByRishav Kothari

    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.

  • Strong and shallow M6.4 earthquake hits Mindanao, Philippines

    ByRishav Kothari

    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.

  • Winter Storm Warnings in effect for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana through Thursday

    ByRishav Kothari

    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 winter storms forecast to bring heavy mountain snow and rain to the Pacific Northwest

    ByRishav Kothari

    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).

  • Strong and shallow M6.2 earthquake, multiple strong aftershocks hit Shimane Prefecture, Japan

    ByRishav Kothari

    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.

  • Storm Francis triggers severe floods across Málaga Province, Spain

    ByRishav Kothari

    Severe flooding struck Málaga Province, southern Spain, through Sunday and Monday, January 4 and 5, 2026, as Storm Francis brought torrential rainfall, dropping totals of up to 200 mm (8 inches) in parts of the Guadalhorce Valley and Costa del Sol. A Red Alert was issued for parts of the region as rivers overflowed, prompting evacuations and emergency rescues across Cártama, Alhaurín de la Torre, and Málaga city.

  • Arctic cold blast expands across Europe as Greenland block steers polar air south

    ByRishav Kothari

    An Arctic cold wave is moving across Europe as a persistent Greenland block redirects polar air southward. Forecast models show temperature anomalies between −10°C and −15°C (14°F and 5°F) at 850 hPa with extensive snow cover developing over much of the continent, with heavy snow already affecting parts of the UK and Balkans at the start of January 2026.