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!
An overnight storm dumped heavy rain on southern Spain causing severe flash flooding and widespread damage to buildings, roads and vehicles on February 19, 2017. According to Spain's meteorological office, the port of Malaga recorded 152.6 mm (6 inches) of rain…
A significant explosive eruption began at Bogoslof stratovolcano at 02:08 UTC on February 20, 2017, and lasted about 37 minutes. Satellite images following the activity showed a volcanic plume extending about 160 km (100 miles) to the southeast over Unalaska Island…
Tropical Cyclone "Alfred" has formed in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia on February 20, 2017. This is the second named tropical system of the 2016/17 Australian region tropical cyclone season. Alfred is slow-moving storm edging closer to the coast of…
A bright green fireball was seen streaking across the sky over the southeastern United States at 03:05 UTC on February 19, 2017 (21:05 CST, February 18). The event, a possible meteorite dropper, was accompanied by a sonic boom. The event was seen from Mississippi…
A newly discovered asteroid named 2017 DB will flyby Earth at 1.82 LD (698 880 km / 434 264 miles) on February 20, 2017. The estimated size of 2017 DB is between 10 and 23 m (32 – 75 feet). At the time of its closest approach, at 16:33 UTC, 2017 DB will flyby us at…
Since February 17, 2017, a strong thermal signal is visible on satellite data from what seems to be the summit of Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau), the site of frequent eruptions since 1927. The last eruption of this volcano occurred on March 31, 2014 (VEI 1). What…
A newly discovered asteroid 2017 DF will flyby Earth at a distance of 2.09 LD (802 560 km / 498 687 miles) at 09:27 UTC on February 19, 2017. Asteroid 2017 DF has an estimated diameter between 13 and 28 m (43 – 92 feet) and belongs to Apollo group of asteroids. It…
A very bright fireball was seen in the northern US and Canada around 04:53 UTC on February 18, 2017. The event was captured in 3 NASA all-sky cameras and cameras belonging to the Southern Ontario Meteor Network. Analysis of the video data shows that the meteor was…
A massive storm, one of the strongest to hit the region in a decade, smashed Southern California on Friday, February 17, 2017, bringing heavy rain and powerful winds. At least 4 people have been killed and numerous injured. The storm downed trees and power lines,…
A line of severe thunderstorms hit Sydney and the New South Wales coast on Friday and Saturday, February 18, 2017 with tennis ball-sized hail and a massive number of lightning strikes. The storms toppled trees and power lines and damaged numerous cars and houses….
