• Heavy rain, strong winds, and sudden freeze hit Atlantic Canada

    On Thursday, February 29, 2024, a severe storm swept through Atlantic Canada, bringing heavy rain, winds exceeding 100 km/h (62 mph), and a sudden freeze across the region. The storm, which started late Wednesday, has left over 32 000 people without power and caused significant flooding, particularly in southern New Brunswick, including the town of Sussex where 100 mm (4 inches) of rain prompted evacuations and street closures.

  • Smokehouse Creek Fire becomes largest wildfire in Texas history and second-largest in U.S.

    On Thursday, February 29, 2024, the Smokehouse Creek Fire expanded beyond 404 686 ha (1 million acres) in Texas, marking it as the largest wildfire in the state’s history. The blaze, which also extended into Oklahoma, has claimed the lives of at least two individuals and continues to pose a significant threat to homes, cattle, and livelihoods in the Texas Panhandle.

  • Widespread flooding and landslides hit Italy, deadly avalanche in Alto Adige

    On February 28, 2024, parts of central and northern Italy were hit by heavy rains, causing widespread flooding and landslides. In Alto Adige, an avalanche in Racines di Dentro resulted in one fatality and two serious injuries. The severe weather led to the closure of roads, rail lines, and schools in affected regions, with evacuations ordered due to rising river levels and landslide risks.

  • Rare EF-2 tornado hits Grand Blanc, confirming unusual tornado pattern, Michigan

    A rare EF-2 tornado touched down in Grand Blanc, Michigan, just after midnight on February 28, 2024, confirmed by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Detroit. With estimated peak winds reaching 185 km/h (115 mph) and spanning a path of 9.1 km (5.7 miles), this event marks only the second February tornado in the region’s history, with the previous one occurring on February 28, 1974, in southwest Wayne County.

  • Smokehouse Creek Fire rapidly grows to second-largest wildfire in history of Texas

    The Smokehouse Creek Fire started on Monday, February 26, 2024, in Hutchinson County, Texas, amidst adverse weather conditions, and has rapidly grown over the next 2 days to the second-largest wildfire in the state’s history. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a disaster in 60 counties in response to the wildfire, which has only been 3% contained.