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.
A powerful winter storm swept through the Plains and Midwest on March 19, 2025, producing eight reported tornadoes in Illinois and severely disrupting travel. Whiteout conditions led to multiple crashes in Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska, forcing closures on major highways, including I-70 and I-80.
Hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and thousands of acres burned as wildfires continue to spread across Oklahoma and Texas on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Emergency officials have issued new evacuation orders in Oklahoma’s Logan and Pawnee counties, while Texas remains under a widespread burn ban with several large fires still active.
Ecuador’s state oil company, Petroecuador, declared force majeure on its Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) on March 18, 2025, following a catastrophic oil spill that began on March 13. The spill, caused by a landslide that ruptured the pipeline, has contaminated the Esmeraldas River, affecting over 500 000 residents who are now experiencing a severe water crisis. The landslide was triggered by heavy rains and severe weather conditions across the country that have claimed 20 lives as of March 19.
Three atmospheric rivers (ARs) are forecast to impact the Pacific Northwest (PNW) from Wednesday, March 19, 2025, into early next week, bringing significant precipitation and potential excessive rainfall to Oregon and Washington.
A new study published in Science Advances shows that Earth’s orbital cycles influenced the timing of Deccan Traps volcanic eruptions, contributing to environmental changes associated with the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, approximately 66 million years ago.
Blizzard warnings and multiple winter weather alerts have been issued across the Central Plains and Midwest as a powerful winter storm is forecast to sweep through the region starting Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Strong winds of over 80 km/h (50 mph) and snow accumulation of up to 15 cm (6 inches) will create impossible travel conditions along key routes.
The first area of interest in the Atlantic for 2025 was identified by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Monday, March 17, 2025, more than 2 months earlier than the official start of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
A significant winter storm is forecast to sweep through the Central High Plains and Midwest starting Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Heavy snow rates and strong winds will create blizzard conditions across portions of this region, creating dangerous travel through Thursday, March 20.
Ecuador declared a state of emergency on March 16, 2025, following a major oil spill in the Esmeraldas River, which has severely impacted the region’s water supply. Authorities have urged residents to ration water as efforts to contain the spill and mitigate its effects are underway.
A very bright fireball streaked over the skies on Monday morning, March 17, 2025, dazzling people with green and orange hues.
