The Watchers team and our contributors bring the latest on extreme weather, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, space weather, and all things science. We're all about making sense of the natural world and keeping you informed on what’s happening. Got a tip or a question? Hit us up using the form at newstips!

  • Destructive floods cause major disruption across Cape Town, South Africa

    ByTW

    Severe flooding caused by torrential rains hit Cape Town, South Africa on June 14, 2023, forcing the South African Weather Service (SAWS) to issue an Orange Level 6 warning. The storm caused significant traffic disruption, limited rail service, and substantial damage to properties and infrastructure across the city. The aftermath saw numerous roads flooded, a local factory and substation impacted, and various informal settlements and residential areas severely affected.

  • Severe thunderstorms, derecho threaten the Gulf Coast as heat intensifies in Texas

    ByTW

    Severe storms are predicted to persist along a lingering boundary, primarily affecting the Gulf Coast states and Southeast on June 14, 2023. The greatest threats are very large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain with the potential for flooding. Texas, on the other hand, continues to experience building heat and humidity.

  • The opening phase of eruption at Kilauea volcano, Hawaii

    ByTW

    This video, captured by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s KWcam on the northwest rim of the caldera, shows the opening phase of the eruption that began within Halemaʻumaʻu crater in the early morning of June 7, 2023 (LT).

  • Waterspout outbreak in the Mediterranean Sea

    ByTW

    The Mediterranean Sea experienced an extraordinary waterspout outbreak on June 13, 2023, with the International Centre for Waterspout Research (ICWR) confirming 15 waterspouts off the coasts of Italy, France, and Spain.

  • Severe flooding in Yemen impacted over 165 000 people, exacerbating the displacement crisis

    ByTW

    More than 165 000 people across more than 70 districts of Yemen were impacted by widespread flooding over the past couple of months, leading to loss of life and significant damage to shelters, crops, and infrastructure. The already vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDP) find themselves further distressed as their shelters and belongings have been swept away by the floods, forcing them into yet another round of displacements.

  • Peru grapples with worst dengue outbreak on record

    ByTW

    Peru, reeling from the devastating effects of recent nationwide floods, is now wrestling with its worst dengue outbreak on record. So far, the health crisis has resulted in nearly 200 deaths and at least 130 000 reported cases, a dramatic surge from the 63 100 cases recorded in the entire 2022.