M3.9 earthquake hits North Hollywood, Los Angeles
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M3.9 hit North Hollywood, California, at 06:13 UTC on March 3, 2025 (22:13 PST, March 2). The agency is reporting a depth of 15.3 km (9.5 miles).
Powerful spring storm to bring widespread hazards across the central U.S.
A powerful spring storm is expected to develop over the Central Plains on Monday, March 3, 2025, bringing severe weather, including blizzards, high winds, critical fire weather and flash flooding, as it moves toward the Great Lakes.
Forced evacuations and burn ban as wildfires spread across North and South Carolina
A series of wildfires erupted across North and South Carolina over the weekend, fueled by dry vegetation, low humidity, and gusty winds, prompting evacuations, road closures, and a statewide burning ban in South Carolina. As of early Sunday, firefighting crews are battling blazes that have collectively scorched thousands of acres, with some fires remaining at 0% containment.
Major sudden stratospheric warming forecast, final polar vortex collapse of the season signals mid-March freeze
The final polar vortex collapse of the 2024-25 winter season is forecast to occur in mid-March as a strong stratospheric warming event develops, potentially leading to significant weather disruptions across the Northern Hemisphere.
24 missing, 16 rescued after avalanche buries BRO workers in Uttarakhand, India
At least 24 workers are missing, and 16 have been rescued after a massive avalanche buried a BRO project site near Mana village in the Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on February 28, 2025.
Japan hit by largest wildfire in over 30 years
A massive forest fire has burned approximately 1 400 ha (3 460 acres) in Akasaki Town, Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, since it broke out on February 26, 2025. This is now the largest wildfire in modern Japan history, surpassing the previous record of 1 030 ha (2 545 acres) set in Kushiro, Hokkaido, in 1992.
Tropical Cyclone Garance kills four and leaves over 180 000 without power, Réunion
Tropical Cyclone Garance made landfall on Réunion’s northern coast at 10:00 local time (06:00 UTC) on February 28, 2025, bringing intense winds and heavy rainfall. The storm caused significant damage and left at least four people dead, while thousands remained without power, water, and internet access.
Severe thunderstorms forecast to impact Great Plains, Ohio Valley, and Southeast US next week
A powerful storm system is expected to develop over the east-central Great Plains and lower Great Lakes region by late Tuesday, March 4, 2025, bringing a risk of severe thunderstorms, strong tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds.
Lava overflow, increase in volcanic tremor at Stromboli, Italy
An increase in volcanic tremor accompanied by lava overflow from the North crater area has been observed at Stromboli volcano on February 28, 2025. The activity includes a modest lava fountain at vent N2, with the lava flow confined to the upper portion of the Sciara del Fuoco.
New degassing pit crater forms at Etna’s Bocca Nuova Crater, Italy
A new degassing pit crater was identified at 3.1 km (10 170 feet) a.s.l. on the southern flank of Etna’s Bocca Nuova Crater on February 28, 2025. A modest lava overflow was also observed from the Southeast Crater at 07:00 LT (06:00 UTC), producing a lava flow on the upper southern flank of the crater.
