Ice storm warnings are in effect for parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia between January 24 and 26, 2026. Ice accumulations of 6 mm to 25 mm (0.25 to 1 inch) and wind gusts up to 30 mph (48 km/h) are forecast across the regions. The combination of freezing rain, sleet, and gusty winds is expected to cause widespread power outages, tree damage, and extremely hazardous travel conditions.
Winter storm warnings and watches have been issued across a broad swath of the United States due to a long-duration winter storm forecast to affect the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley to the Midwest, Great Lakes, Appalachians, and parts of the Southwest.
A severe storm system brought intense rainfall and gale-force winds across Greece on January 22, 2026, causing deadly floods and widespread disruptions. A woman was killed in Glyfada, Athens, when her vehicle was swept away by floodwaters, and a 53-year-old coastguard officer died in Peloponnese after being struck by a wave. Schools were closed, ferry services suspended, and authorities warned residents to avoid non-essential travel.
Extreme cold warnings and watches were issued across large parts of the central and northern United States on Thursday, January 22, 2026, as a deep Arctic air mass spread southward, producing wind chills as low as −48°C (−55°F).
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 struck near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, at 12:42 UTC on January 22, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 52.2 km (32.4 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
A major long-duration winter storm is forecast to affect large portions of the central and eastern United States starting Friday, January 23, 2026, with confidence increasing in damaging ice accumulations across parts of the South. Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are expected from the southern Rockies and Plains into the Mid-South, with the system spreading east into the Mid-Atlantic and New England through the weekend.
Record-breaking rainfall left at least two people dead and several others unaccounted for in parts of New Zealand on January 21, 2026. The event produced multiple rainfall records and damaging winds, marking the 20th Red Warning weather event since the alert level was introduced in May 2019.
At least 5 people have been reported dead after the heaviest rain in over 70 years struck parts of Tunisia, dropping over 200 mm (8 inches) of rainfall since Monday, January 19, 2026. A Red Alert (the highest warning level) was issued for the Grand Tunis area as well as the Nabeul and Monastir provinces as rainfall and floods continued through Tuesday into Wednesday, January 20-21.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Volcano Islands, Japan region at 16:37 UTC on January 21, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 25.5 km (15.8 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
A large and prolonged outbreak of Arctic air is spreading across the United States, prompting extreme cold watches across much of the northern and central United States from Thursday, January 22, 2026, through Friday, January 24. This Arctic outbreak will bring one of the most dangerous cold spells in recent years, with the greatest threat lasting from Thursday night through early Saturday morning.
