• Large marine heatwave persists off the U.S. West Coast since summer 2025

    ByReet Kaur

    A large marine heatwave has persisted along the U.S. West Coast since summer 2025, raising sea surface temperatures about 1.7–2.2°C (3–4°F) above average across parts of the Northeast Pacific. In a report published March 3, 2026, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries said this is only the third time in the observational record for the California Current ecosystem that such a large portion of coastal waters has remained anomalously warm for so long into winter without El Niño conditions.

  • Strong and shallow M6.4 earthquake hits Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska

    ByTeo Blašković

    A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit near the Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska at 17:54 UTC on March 4, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. According to the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC), there is no tsunami danger from this event.

  • Earthquake swarm near Tonopah, Nevada

    ByTeo Blašković

    A swarm of small earthquakes has been shaking the desert northeast of Tonopah, Nevada, since late February 2026, with nearly a hundred shallow events recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey through 17:00 UTC on March 4.

  • Impulsive explosion produces brief ash emission at Mount Etna hours after M4.5 earthquake, Italy

    ByTeo Blašković

    An impulsive explosion from the Bocca Nuova crater at Mount Etna, Italy, generated a short-lived ash emission at 13:12 LT (12:12 UTC) on March 4, 2026. Surveillance cameras recorded the ash plume dispersing quickly toward the eastern side of the volcano. The eruption followed an earthquake swarm on Mount Etna’s southwestern flank earlier in the day, which included a notable ML4.5 earthquake.

  • Flood warnings and advisories issued across Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia after heavy rainfall

    ByRishav Kothari

    The National Weather Service (NWS) issued numerous flood warnings on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, following 50–100 mm (2–4 inches) of rainfall across Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. Several rivers, including the East Fork White River, White River, and Big Blue River, are above flood stage, with additional rainfall forecast through the end of the week.

  • Potomac River advisory lifted in Washington, D.C. as repairs begin on collapsed interceptor

    ByReet Kaur

    The District Department of Health lifted a recreational advisory for the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., on March 2, 2026, after three weeks of monitoring showed bacterial levels had returned to typical ranges following the January 19 collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line. Repair operations advanced the following day as crews prepared the damaged pipe for structural reinforcement while environmental restoration continues in the affected section of the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

  • El Niño chances rise as La Niña fades, WMO says neutral phase to persist until mid-2026

    ByReet Kaur

    The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported on March 3, 2026, that the recent weak La Niña is fading, with ENSO-neutral conditions expected to prevail until at least July 2026. Forecast models show about a 40% chance of El Niño emerging by mid-year, although confidence remains limited because of the boreal-spring predictability barrier.