Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple high wind warnings and watches across the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies on Monday, December 15, 2025, as a strong surface low-pressure system moved into the region. The alerts cover parts of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, and remain in effect through Wednesday afternoon, December 17, with sustained winds of 40–70 km/h (25–45 mph) and gusts exceeding 110 km/h (70 mph) forecast in exposed and mountainous areas.
Arctic air driven by the polar vortex has prompted extreme cold warnings across parts of Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia on December 14, 2025. Wind chills between −21°C (−6°F) and −30°C (−22°F) are producing dangerous conditions capable of causing frostbite on exposed skin within 30 minutes.
A series of atmospheric rivers are forecast to continue impacting the Pacific Northwest and spread southward into California through late December. Moderate risks of heavy precipitation, snow, and high winds are forecast across the West Coast between December 20 and 26, 2025.
Lake effect snow warnings are in effect for parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio through Sunday into Monday, December 14 into 15, 2025 as Arctic air driven by the polar vortex brings cold temperatures across the eastern U.S.
The Geminid meteor shower will peak on the night of December 13, 2025, with over 150 meteors per hour being visible during peak hours.
Record-breaking rainfall in Death Valley, California, has brought the ancient lake to life, according to satellite images issued by NASA on December 12, 2025.
The Leavenworth Christmastown festival was cancelled after historic Washington floods triggered widespread power outages across Chelan County. Over 5 000 customers across the county, accounting for more than 11 000 people, were left without power due to the impacts of a major atmospheric river (AR). Power is expected to be restored for most customers by the evening of December 13, 2025, while debris cleanup and recovery efforts are expected to continue until next weekend.
Deadly flash floods on December 9, 2025, killed at least three people in Iraq’s Kurdistan and Kirkuk region, damaging over 2 600 homes and structures in the affected regions.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency effective at 09:00 LT (14:00 UTC) on December 12, 2025, due to propane supply shortages affecting residential heating across the state. The declaration applies to approximately 186 000 residents who rely on propane-based heating systems.
