A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit the Solomon Islands at 16:42 UTC on February 21, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at the same depth. No tsunami warning has been issued.
Blizzard Warnings were issued February 21, 2026, for parts of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and southern Connecticut, with heavy snow and wind gusts up to 90 km/h (55 mph) forecast from February 22 through 18:00 EST on February 23. Snow accumulations of 15–50 cm (6–20 inches) are expected, with visibility potentially dropping below 0.4 km (0.25 miles) in blowing snow, producing whiteout conditions and dangerous travel.
A slow-moving low-pressure system is forecast to bring long-duration atmospheric river conditions to the U.S. West Coast between Saturday, February 21, and Wednesday, February 25, 2026, delivering heavy precipitation from Washington to California. The strongest impacts are expected across southern Oregon and northern California Coast Ranges and the Klamath Mountains, where 5-10 inches (125-250 mm) of rain is forecast.
Forecast confidence is increasing for an impactful winter storm to hit the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic over the weekend into Monday, February 23, 2026. Lake-enhanced and lake-effect snow are forecast as the storm moves into the Great Lakes Region starting Saturday, February 21. Snowfall rates of over 25 mm (1 inch) an hour coupled with gusty winds will create dangerous travel conditions with low visibility and slick roads.
WorkSafe New Zealand confirmed on February 20, 2026, that it has launched a formal investigation into the January 22 landslide on Mauao (Mount Maunganui) in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, that killed six people at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. The investigation will examine work-related health and safety matters under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, following the completion of Police recovery operations on February 1.
A tornado struck Bloomington, Indiana, on Thursday, February 19, 2026, causing damage to Monroe County Airport, multiple homes, a bank branch, and an animal shelter as severe storms moved through southern Indiana.
Wildfires burning across the Texas Panhandle and West Texas prompted Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller to declare an Agricultural Emergency on February 18, 2026, while Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate additional state wildfire response resources ahead of elevated-to-critical fire weather conditions across South, West, and Northwest Texas. Extremely critical fire danger continues across portions of the state as dry fuels and periodic wind gusts persist.
A confirmed tornado struck Crawford County, Illinois, on the evening of February 19, 2026, destroying a house near New Hebron and trapping occupants inside. Emergency crews responded as local authorities reported significant damage to structures and power infrastructure.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories were issued across parts of Michigan, New York, New England, and Pennsylvania early Friday, February 20, 2026, with heavy snow and ice forecast to impact travel through February 21. Snowfall totals of 10 to 28 cm (4 to 11 inches) and ice accumulations up to 6 mm (0.25 inches) are expected in warning areas.
More than 30 families evacuated La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, after an explosive eruption at Kanlaon volcano at 16:39 LT (08:39 UTC) on February 19, 2026. The eruption generated a 2 000 m (6 562 feet) ash plume, pyroclastic density currents within 2 km (1.2 miles) of the crater, and ashfall across 41 barangays in six cities and municipalities.
