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.
Forecast models suggest that El Niño conditions are likely to develop during 2026, marking a shift from the ongoing weak La Niña. The transition is expected to influence jet stream patterns and temperature anomalies across the United States, Canada, and Europe, potentially reshaping rainfall distribution and winter storm activity in the Northern Hemisphere.
A strong Alberta Clipper storm will move through northern Ontario on Thursday and Friday, December 18 and 19, 2025, dropping 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) of snow, gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph), and a sharp temperature drop. The system will create blowing snow and flash-freeze conditions on major highways, including routes between Kenora and Thunder Bay.
High Wind Warnings have been issued across much of the western and central United States, effective from early Wednesday, December 17, 2025, through Thursday morning, December 18. Forecasts indicate a rapidly deepening low-pressure system developing east of the Canadian Rockies, producing winds of over 130 km/h (80 mph) in some areas. Power outages, tree damage, and hazardous travel conditions are expected from the Intermountain West to the Great Plains.
A levee breach along the White River prompted evacuation orders and Flash Flood Warning for the city of Pacific on December 16, 2025.
Two atmospheric rivers are forecast to bring prolonged heavy rain and mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest and northern California through December 20, 2025. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) forecasts 100–150 mm (4–6 inches) of precipitation across western Washington and 100–200 mm (4–8 inches) across western Oregon, with locally higher totals in the Cascades and coastal ranges.
Evacuation notice and the Flash Flood warnings were lifted for King County after crews successfully contained the Green River Levee which failed near Tukwila, Washington on December 15, 2025, triggering flash floods in the area.
Record snow and winds struck Hokkaido, Japan, overnight December 14–15, 2025, and left tens of thousands without power.
Scientists have found a fragment of tracking data from MAVEN that suggests its orbital trajectory may have changed when re-emerged from behind Mars and lost contact with NASA on December 6, 2025.
Freeze warnings were issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for parts of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas early on December 15, 2025, lasting through December 16. Temperatures dropped as low as 21°F (−6°C) in central Louisiana and 24°F (−4°C) in northern Florida, with wind chills reaching 14°F (−10°C).
At least two people were reported dead in traffic crashes as a powerful winter storm dropped up to 20 cm (8 inches) of snow across parts of Long Island, New York, including Nassau and Suffolk counties, on December 14, 2025, creating dangerous travel conditions. Suffolk County Police reported approximately 200 vehicle collisions across the island as the storm moved through the region.
