Very bright fireball explodes over Kyiv, Ukraine
A very bright fireball exploded over Kyiv, Ukraine at about 19:00 UTC (22:00 LT) on April 19, 2023, sparking confusion and fear among residents and prompting authorities to declare an air raid alert.
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
Asia experiences unprecedented April heatwave
Asia is experiencing a record-breaking April heatwave this year, causing numerous fatalities and shattering temperature records across several countries. In most of Asia, the heat in March and April has been unprecedented.
Large tornado devastates Cole, Oklahoma, claims at least two lives
At least two people have been killed after a large tornado hit Cole, Oklahoma, on April 19, 2023, amid severe weather spawning 15 tornadoes across three states.
Fatal lightning strikes hit Tshimbulu, southern DR Congo amid heavy rainfall
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms hit the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo from April 15 to 17, 2023, causing casualties and property damage.
Rapidly melting snow causes widespread flooding in Minnesota, U.S.
Stearns County in Minnesota is experiencing significant flooding as the Mississippi River and its tributaries overflow due to rapidly melting snow, inundating roads, businesses, and residential areas.
Large to giant hail, damaging winds, and locally heavy rain expected from the southern Plains to the Midwest, U.S.
A frontal system will bring the potential for severe storms with large to giant hail, damaging winds, and locally heavy rain from the southern Plains to the Midwest on Wednesday, April 19, and Thursday, April 20, 2023.
Heavy rain and giant hail hit Rio Grande do Sul, leaving hundreds of homes damaged, Brazil
Severe weather, including heavy rainfall, strong wind, and severe hailstorms, wreaked havoc in southern Brazil from April 16 to 17, 2023, causing floods and damage to hundreds of homes.
Rare hybrid solar eclipse on Thursday, April 20, 2023
A rare hybrid solar eclipse will take place on Thursday, April 20, 2023. The eclipse path starts out as annular, changes to total, and then changes back to annular before the path ends.
Strong and shallow M6.3 earthquake hits New Britain region, Papua New Guinea
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit the New Britain region, Papua New Guinea at 09:06 UTC (19:06 LT) on April 19, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 55 km (34 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 80 km (49 miles).
Slow-moving fireball over the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal and Spain
A slow-moving fireball overflew the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, and Spain at 04:38 UTC on April 11, 2023.
