Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

  • Major mid-March blizzard forecast to bring potentially record snowfall to parts of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

    ByRishav Kothari

    A major winter storm is forecast to develop over Wyoming on Saturday, March 14, 2026, before expanding into the northern Plains and Upper Midwest by Sunday, March 15, and reaching the Great Lakes by Monday, March 16. WPC said embedded snow bands could produce snowfall rates of 2.5–7.6 cm (1–3 inches) per hour, with blizzard or near-blizzard conditions possible as wind gusts reach about 80 km/h (50 mph), and parts of the core snow band could receive more than 60 cm (24 inches) of snow.

  • Long-duration atmospheric river impacts Washington and Oregon with heavy rain, snow and flood risk, U.S.

    ByRishav Kothari

    An atmospheric river made landfall in the Pacific Northwest during the morning of March 11, 2026, bringing heavy rain and snow across portions of Washington and Oregon. Forecasts show that the event will continue affecting the region through early March 14, producing significant precipitation totals, flooding concerns, and major winter weather impacts in mountainous terrain.

  • Winter Storm Warnings issued from the Rockies to the Upper Midwest and Northeast

    ByRishav Kothari

    Winter Storm Warnings have been issued from the Rocky Mountains to the Upper Midwest and parts of the Northeast, with heavy snow, strong winds, and mixed precipitation forecast through March 14, 2026. Warnings will remain in effect from March 12 to 14 across much of Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Maine, with more than 90 cm (3 feet) of snow forecast in some areas.

  • Severe storms leave at least five dead in Indiana after tornado hits Lake Village and floodwaters sweep vehicles away

    ByRishav Kothari

    At least five people were reported dead across Indiana after severe storms triggered flooding and a destructive tornado between March 8 and 10, 2026. Two people were killed in Lake Village, Newton County, when a tornado destroyed multiple homes on March 10, while three others died in separate flooding incidents.

  • Destructive tornado damages homes in Kankakee County, Illinois, leaving thousands without power

    ByRishav Kothari

    A destructive tornado struck Kankakee County, Illinois, during severe storms on March 10, 2026, causing significant structural damage and leaving more than 7 000 customers without power. The tornado tracked through the southwest portion of Kankakee and crossed into northwestern Indiana near Lake Village, damaging homes and infrastructure.

  • Atmospheric rivers forecast to bring heavy rain and snow to the Pacific Northwest through mid-March

    ByRishav Kothari

    Two atmospheric rivers are forecast to hit the Pacific Northwest beginning late March 10, 2026, bringing heavy rainfall to coastal areas and significant snowfall to higher elevations in Washington and Oregon. Precipitation totals of 180–380 mm (7–15 inches) are forecast in mountainous regions, with the potential for river rises and localized flooding through the week.

  • Severe flooding kills 42 across Kenya as heavy rains trigger flash floods in Nairobi

    ByRishav Kothari

    Severe flooding killed at least 42 people across Kenya by March 9, 2026, after heavy rains triggered flash floods in Nairobi and other parts of the country over the weekend. Available reporting indicated that about 25–26 of the deaths were recorded in the capital, where floodwaters swept away vehicles, disrupted transport, and forced large-scale rescue operations.

  • Union City tornado becomes the earliest EF-3 on record for Michigan

    ByRishav Kothari

    The deadly tornado that struck Union City, Michigan, on March 6, 2026, was rated EF-3 after damage surveys by the National Weather Service (NWS). It is the earliest EF-3 recorded in Michigan and the strongest to strike the state in 49 years, with estimated peak winds exceeding 247 km/h (160 mph). Meanwhile, the tornado in Edwardsburg was rated EF-1, and an EF-2 rating was given to the Three Rivers tornadoes.

  • Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms for parts of Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana on March 10

    ByRishav Kothari

    An Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms is in effect for parts of the Midwest on March 10, 2026, including northeast Missouri, southeast Iowa, northern and central Illinois, and northwest Indiana. The forecast environment supports the development of supercells and organized thunderstorm clusters capable of producing tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and large hail during the afternoon and evening hours.

  • Strong M6.0 earthquake hits Tonga

    ByRishav Kothari

    A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 struck near Hihifo, Tonga at 09:28 UTC on March 8, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 116.8 km (72.6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 117 km (72.7 miles).