A powerful M7.6 earthquake centered in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on January 1, 2024, was followed by intense snowfall a week later, creating very hard conditions for survivors and complicating rescue efforts. On January 8, authorities reported 161 fatalities caused by the earthquake and 305 people missing.
A strengthening storm is set to impact the Central and Southern U.S., bringing a mix of heavy snow, strong winds, blizzard conditions in the Plains and Midwest, severe thunderstorms across the Gulf Coast, and widespread flooding this week. In addition, a major winter storm will bring several feet of snow to the Washington and Oregon Cascades through Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
The January 15, 2022, eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano produced the largest underwater explosion ever recorded, injecting an unprecedented amount of water vapor into the stratosphere, causing significant ozone loss and rapid aerosol formation, according to recent studies.
A tornado swept through Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday, January 6, 2024, causing damage to boats and downing power lines, with the National Weather Service (NWS) confirming reports of the twister near Federal Highway around 17:50 local time. NWS is expected to conduct a damage survey on Sunday to determine the strength and path of the tornado.
A significant winter storm is set to bring ice and snow from the Southern Appalachians through New England this weekend, with travel disruptions, power outages, and coastal flooding anticipated due to heavy snow, gusty winds, and ice accumulations.
A tornado between Sint-Katelijne-Waver and Putte in Belgium caused catastrophic damage Wednesday afternoon, January 3, 2024, with one horticultural company, Paulanco, losing 40 years of work as greenhouses were demolished and glass shattered.
Severe flooding is affecting parts of Germany again after record-breaking December rains, with Lower Saxony facing the brunt of the deluge and emergency services, including the armed forces, responding to the crisis.
A party boat sank on the River Thames in London, U.K. due to severe weather conditions affecting the country on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
Following severe rainfall, Pas-de-Calais faces its second major flood in recent months, affecting hundreds of residents and leading to significant emergency responses, including 710 rescues since December 30.
Finland experienced its coldest January temperature since 2006 when Enontekiö Airport registered -42.4 °C (-44.3 °F) on January 4, 2024. The severe cold is not isolated to Finland, as nearby regions in Sweden and Norway have also reported record-low temperatures, indicating a widespread Arctic chill across the Nordic countries.
