Record-breaking snow and coldest air mass of the season hit Japan
Heavy sea-effect snow and the coldest air mass of the season are affecting Japan this week, forcing authorities to issue blizzard warnings for parts of the country.
Major landslide hits camping site in Malaysia, leaving dozens dead and missing
A major landslide hit a campsite at a location known as Father’s Organic Farm in Genting Highlands, Malaysia — about 50 km (31 miles) N of Kuala Lumpur — on December 16, 2022. The cause of the landslide is not clear at the moment as there had been only light rain in the area.
Multiple M-class solar flares erupt from AR 3165
Multiple M- and C-class solar flares were detected on December 14, 2022, with the strongest being M6.2 at 14:42 UTC. While several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were produced, none of them appears to be Earth-directed.
Severe floods and landslides hit Kinshasa, leaving more than 160 people dead, DR Congo
At least 141 people died in floods and landslides caused by heavy rains that hit several outlying districts of the capital Kinshasa (population 15 million), Democratic Republic of the Congo, on December 13, 2022.
Massive storm to impact the Central and Southern U.S.
A massive storm system will impact the Central and Southern U.S. over the next few days. Widespread heavy snow with blizzard conditions and a zone of wintry mix is possible from the north-central High Plains to the Upper Midwest. Meanwhile, in the warm sector of the storm, a severe weather event with all hazards is possible in the southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley to Florida.
Strong explosion, pyroclastic flows at Lascar volcano, Chile
A strong vulcanian explosion took place at Lascar volcano, Chile at 15:36 UTC on December 10, 2022.
Tropical Cyclone “Mandous” forms in the Bay of Bengal, red alerts issued for parts of Tamil Nadu
A deep depression formed in the Bay of Bengal on December 7 and intensified into a Cyclonic Storm “Mandous” on December 8, 2022, becoming the third named storm of the 2022 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. The cyclone is expected to make landfall over northern Tamil Nadu on December 9, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Massive eruption at Semeru volcano, volcanic ash up to 15.2 km (50 000 feet) a.s.l., Indonesia
A high-level eruption occurred at Indonesia’s Semeru volcano on December 4, 2022, prompting authorities to raise the Alert Level from III to IV. The last major eruption at this volcano took place on December 4, 2021, leaving 51 people dead and several hundred others injured.
Strong and shallow M5.6 earthquake, numerous aftershocks at Taupō volcano, New Zealand
Seismic unrest continues at Taupō volcano, New Zealand, with a strong and shallow M5.6 earthquake registered on November 30, 2022. The Volcanic Alert Level for Taupō volcano was increased to Level 1 on September 20, 2022. This was based on ongoing earthquakes and deformation at levels above typical background since May.
Large and destructive tornadoes hit Southern U.S.
A severe weather outbreak hit the Southern U.S. on November 29, 2022, bringing strong tornadoes, very large hail, and severe with gusts across parts of the lower to mid-Mississippi Valley, Mid-South, and parts of the Southeast. A few long-track strong tornadoes remain possible before the event is over.
