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!

  • Canberra’s rainiest November on record

    With 147.8 mm (5.8 inches) of rain so far this month, Australian capital Canberra has set its new all-time November rainfall record. This is 2.5 times more than the city's average November rain, and significantly higher than the previous record for the month of…

  • Severe hailstorm hits Klerksdorp, South Africa

    A severe hailstorm hit the city of Klerksdorp, South Africa's North West Province on November 25, 2021, causing widespread damage. The storm flooded roads and damaged the roofs of many homes and businesses.1 This is the third destructive hailstorm to hit South…

  • Slow-moving fireball over Los Angeles, California

    A slow-moving fireball was seen and recorded over Los Angeles, California at 04:13 UTC on November 25, 2021 (20:13 PST, November 24). The event lasted more than 12 seconds. The American Meteor Society (AMS) received more than 75 reports from California and Arizona…

  • Cold Arctic air to reach UK this week, spread to the rest of Europe

    The UK Met Office has issued wind warnings for Friday and Saturday, November 26 and 27, 2021 as a low-pressure system brings strong winds and heavy rain, and even sleet and snow in some places. The strongest winds will arrive across northern Scotland during Friday…

  • Historic hailstorm hits Alicante, Spain

    A massive hailstorm hit the Spanish city of Alicante, Valencia on the morning of November 23, 2021. The hailstorm was preceded by large amounts of rain in a very short period. According to AEMET, a weather station in Alicante registered 46 mm (1.8 inches) of rain in…

  • Record sea-effect snow in northern Japan

    A potent storm system is moving over the Sea of Japan bringing heavy sea-effect snow to parts of Japan, and in some areas breaking all-time 24-hour snowfall records. Shumarinai recorded 77 cm (30 inches) of snow over the past 24 hours, setting its new all-time…

  • La Niña established in the tropical Pacific

    La Niña part of a cycle known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has developed in the Pacific Ocean, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology announced on November 23, 2021. Consequently, BOM's ENSO Outlook has been raised to LA NIÑA….