Severe thunderstorms leave 200 000 customers without power in Houston
Severe thunderstorms struck Houston, Texas, on May 27, 2025, causing nearly 200 000 power outages and significant infrastructure damage.
Rare superbolt rattles homes in Tulsa, Oklahoma
A rare and exceptionally powerful lightning strike, known as a superbolt, struck Tulsa, Oklahoma, on May 25, 2025, causing structural damage and shaking nearby homes with an electrical discharge estimated between 228 000 and 280 000 amps.
Iraq launches water initiative as reserves hit 80-year low
The Iraqi government has announced a new water initiative to manage water resources from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers as the country records its lowest water reserves in 80 years. Current storage levels are at only 10 billion m³ compared to the seasonal norm of 18 billion m³ threatening the country’s agricultural production.
Rapid glacier movement and landslides at Birch Glacier force evacuation, prompt monitoring initiative in Switzerland
As landslides above the village of Blatten on May 26, 2025, the Swiss government plans to establish a national monitoring system using satellite data. This is in order to anticipate ground movement-related threats similar to the one occurring at the Birch Glacier over the village.
Tropical Storm Alvin forecast to form off the coast of Mexico this week
Tropical Storm Alvin, the first named storm of the 2025 eastern Pacific hurricane season, is forecast to form off the southern coast of Mexico this week from a developing low-pressure system designated Invest 90-E. A Gale Warning has been issued for offshore waters from Guerrero to Jalisco due to strengthening winds and rough seas associated with the system.
Over 200 structures damaged after M6.0 earthquake hits Sumatra, Indonesia
A strong earthquake registered by the BMKG as M6.0 struck near the coast of Bengkulu Province, Sumatra, Indonesia, at 19:52 UTC on May 22, 2025, resulting in damage to at least 206 structures, including 140 homes, across several regencies.
Severe dust storm impacts air quality across Greater Sydney, Australia
A thick dust storm significantly degraded air quality across Greater Sydney and the Illawarra region, Australia, on the morning of May 27, 2025. Particulate matter (PM10) levels surpassed 900 μg/m³ in some locations, prompting health warnings from authorities.
More than 800 homes uninhabitable after ‘1-in-500-year’ flood in New South Wales, Australia
Nearly 800 homes have been deemed uninhabitable following the historic floods in New South Wales, Australia, from May 17 to 22, 2025, that claimed five lives and cut off around 50 000 people. The event has been classified as an insurance catastrophe, with some calling it a once-in-a-500-year flood.
Iceland’s historic May heatwave sets new temperature records
A record-breaking heatwave affected Iceland from May 6 to 15, 2025, with temperatures reaching 26.6°C (79.9°F) at Egilsstaðir Airport and setting a new national May temperature record. The 10-day event was described by the Icelandic Meteorological Office as the most significant May heatwave in the country’s meteorological history.
Earliest monsoon in 75 years breaks 107-year-old May rainfall record in Mumbai
Mumbai experienced its earliest monsoon onset in 75 years on May 26, 2025, leading to record-breaking rainfall that surpassed a 107-year-old May record at the Colaba observatory. The heavy rains caused widespread flooding, disrupting traffic and leading to power outages across the city.
