Sand miner trapped by large lahar on Mount Semeru, Indonesia
A large lahar triggered by heavy rains on Mount Semeru trapped a man in the Regoyo River in East Java, on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
Strong M6.5 earthquake hits eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit Papua New Guinea at 10:31 UTC (21:31 local time) on December 22, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 110.2 km (68 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 88 km (55 miles). There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
One dead in Redding as atmospheric river triggers deadly flooding across northern California
One person was killed and several were rescued after torrential rain from an atmospheric river caused severe flooding in Redding, northern California, on December 21–22, 2025. Rainfall totals above 100 mm (4 inches) overwhelmed storm drains, flooded roads.
Tornado touches down near Santa Rosa del Monday, Alto Paraná Department, Paraguay
A tornado touched down in a rural area near Santa Rosa del Monday, Alto Paraná Department, on December 21, 2025, amid severe thunderstorms affecting eastern Paraguay. The phenomenon was documented on video by residents, with reports of localized damage to vegetation and infrastructure but no confirmed casualties.
Strong atmospheric river to impact California, up to 500 mm (20 inches) of rain forecast for Sierra Nevada
Three atmospheric rivers are expected to impact California between December 20 and 25, 2025, producing 250–500 mm (10–20 inches) of rain over the Sierra Nevada and 75–180 mm (3–7 inches) over southern coastal ranges. The strongest system is forecast to peak on December 23–25 with IVT values surpassing 750 kg m⁻¹ s⁻¹ and AR3–AR4 intensity.
Dam failure triggers flooding in Ponte Alta do Bom Jesus, Tocantins, Brazil
A dam in Ponte Alta do Bom Jesus, southeast of Tocantins, Brazil, suffered a partial failure on the morning of December 19, 2025.
Strengthening Polar Vortex signals return of Arctic air to North America and Europe in January 2026
Forecast models indicate that the Polar Vortex will strengthen in late December 2025 after a split and disrupted phase earlier in the season. The recovery is expected to influence North American and European weather in January 2026, potentially sending colder air southward while reorganizing jet stream flow.
Series of impactful atmospheric rivers forecast to bring widespread heavy precipitation to California
A series of impactful atmospheric rivers is forecast to bring heavy precipitation across California from Friday, December 19, 2025, through Wednesday, December 24, with seven-day precipitation totals expected to exceed 380 mm (15 inches) in parts of the Sierra Nevada.
Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDC) for rapid wildfire spread issued for Colorado’s Front Range
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Boulder issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDC) for rapid wildfire spread affecting the foothills and along Colorado Highway 93 through Friday, December 19, 2025.
Coast-to-coast storm with 232 km/h (144 mph) gusts leaves 1 dead, 2 injured across Northwest and Rockies
A powerful windstorm with gusts reaching 232 km/h (144 mph) battered parts of the Pacific Northwest and Rockies this week, leaving one dead, two injured, and hundreds of thousands without power by December 18, 2025. The deep low-pressure system continues moving east toward the northern Plains and Midwest, sustaining severe winds and wildfire risks.
