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.
Nearly 30 tornadoes were reported across five states on Sunday, May 18, 2025, with Kansas and Colorado experiencing the most significant damage. Multiple homes and structures were destroyed as tornadoes overturned vehicles, downed power lines, and scattered debris, prompting emergency alerts in several areas.
At least 27 people were killed as major tornado outbreak struck Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia late on May 16, 2025. Nearly 800 000 customers lost power across the central and eastern United States, affecting an estimated 2 million people. In Kentucky alone, at least 7 tornadoes were confirmed, and over 100 000 customers were left without electricity as the storms moved eastward.
The first-ever Dust Storm Warning for the Chicago metro area was issued on May 16, 2025, as winds of up to 113 km/h (70 mph) carried dust into the city. The storm reduced visibility to near zero and affected major routes across Chicago and surrounding areas.
Camp Mabry broke a 100-year-old daily heat on Thursday, May 15, 2025, as an early-season heat wave caused multiple daily heat records to break across south-central Texas. The heat wave is forecast to continue through the weekend into the next week, with some areas expected to see the highest May temperatures on record.
Tornadoes struck parts of the Midwest on Wednesday, May 15, 2025, causing widespread damage across Wisconsin. The city of Mayville declared a State of Emergency after severe damage was reported in its southern areas, where multiple buildings and homes were either damaged or destroyed.
Three eruptions were recorded at Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, on May 15, 2025, with ash plumes reaching heights over 4 200 m (13 800 feet) above sea level. Ashfall was reported in Kagoshima City, reducing visibility on city roads.
A widespread severe weather threat is expected on Friday, May 16, 2025, as a strong low-pressure system moves from the Upper Midwest into the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, affecting Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio.
A 12-year-old was found deceased in Albemarle County, Virginia, after flash floods struck parts of the Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, prompting Flash Flood Emergencies in multiple counties and evacuations in areas including Westernport, Maryland.
An explosive eruption occurred at the summit of Kanlaon volcano in the Philippines at 02:55 local time on May 13, 2025, prompting authorities to raise the Alert Level to Level 3 due to magmatic unrest and the potential for life-threatening volcanic hazards. Authorities have advised communities within 6 km (3.7 miles) of the summit crater to evacuate.
Wildfires in Minnesota have destroyed at least 140 buildings and scorched over 8 094 ha (20 000 acres) of land since May 11, 2025, prompting evacuations, road closures, and air quality alerts.
