Red Flag Warnings are in effect for parts of Colorado, Oklahoma, and the Texas Panhandle through Monday, January 5, 2026. The warnings are valid from mid-morning to late afternoon due to very low relative humidity and gusty winds creating critical fire conditions across the region.
An Arctic cold wave is moving across Europe as a persistent Greenland block redirects polar air southward. Forecast models show temperature anomalies between −10°C and −15°C (14°F and 5°F) at 850 hPa with extensive snow cover developing over much of the continent, with heavy snow already affecting parts of the UK and Balkans at the start of January 2026.
A rare tornado warning was issued for Shelter Cove as high winds downed trees and power lines, leaving nearly 2,000 people without power, and prompted road closures in Humboldt County on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
Record-breaking King Tides struck the San Francisco Bay Area and parts of the Northern California coast on Friday and Saturday, January 2-3, 2026, causing widespread coastal flooding across multiple counties. Tide gauges across the region recorded water levels up to 0.76 m (2.5 feet) above normal, breaking multiple records and prompting road closures, flood warnings, and emergency advisories.
At least two people were killed after a strong M6.5 earthquake hit Guerrero on January 2, 2026. Meanwhile, 17 people were injured as hundreds of homes were reportedly destroyed or damaged across Mexico due to the tremors and subsequent landslides. Over 1 000 aftershocks have been recorded since the mainshock as relief efforts and damage surveys continue.
An atmospheric river made landfall over California during the afternoon of January 2, 2026. Heavy precipitation and mountain snow are forecast through early next week across central and northern California.
One snowmobiler was killed by an avalanche on the Rockies Mountains in British Columbia on December 30, 2025.
Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall and snowmelt have killed at least 17 people and left 11 injured across Afghanistan since January 1, 2026. Over 1 800 homes and structures were destroyed in Herat, Badghis, and Faryab provinces, with authorities warning of continuing risk as moderate rainfall persists in western regions.
A Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) event evolving over the Arctic through mid-January 2026 is forecast to weaken and displace the Polar Vortex, according to ECMWF and NOAA extended-range guidance. The disturbance is expected to propagate downward over the following weeks, raising the probability of Arctic air outbreaks and colder-than-normal conditions in parts of North America and Europe during the second half of January 2026.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 struck Guerrero, Mexico, at 13:58 UTC (07:58 LT) on January 2, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. The USGS issued a Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities and a Green alert for economic losses.
