Seven deaths were linked to exceptionally high temperatures in France after the country recorded its hottest May day since national observations began, with a national average temperature of 24.4°C (75.9°F) on May 25, 2026.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.7 hit Antofagasta, Chile, at 21:52 UTC (17:52 LT) on May 25, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 119.7 km (74.4 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.8 at a depth of 103 km (64 miles).
A historic heatwave intensified across the UK on May 25, with 13 locations provisionally breaking the country’s all-time May temperature record. Kew Gardens reached 34.8°C (94.6°F), surpassing the previous record of 32.8°C (91.0°F), while temperatures above 30°C (86°F) expanded across large parts of England. Forecasts show the heat persisting into May 26, with London potentially reaching 35°C (95°F).
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency for Orange County on May 23, 2026, after the state said a methyl methacrylate storage tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove began heating up and emitting toxic fumes, leaving about 50 000 residents subject to evacuation orders.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit 12 km (7.5 miles) Hawai’i at 07:46 UTC on May 23, 2026 (21:46 LT on May 22). The agency is reporting a depth of 22.4 km (13.9 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 16 km (9.9 miles). According to PTWC, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
Flash floods struck Atlanta, Georgia, on May 20, stranding multiple vehicles along the downtown connector and forcing Waymo to suspend autonomous vehicle operations after two driverless cars drove into flooded streets.
Three tornadoes touched down across south-central Nebraska on May 17, 2026, including a high-end EF-3 tornado near St. Libory in Howard County that destroyed multiple homes and damaged power infrastructure, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Hastings.
Torrential rain triggered widespread flooding across southern and central China from May 16 to 19, 2026, killing at least 21 people and disrupting schools, businesses, transport, and power supplies. China’s National Meteorological Center keeps a yellow rainstorm warning in force, with heavy rain forecast to continue across parts of southern and eastern China through May 20.
A record-breaking wildfire burning on California’s Santa Rosa Island has scorched more than 5 900 ha (14 600 acres) and continues to threaten rare Torrey pine trees, endangered plant species, and historic structures.
A State of Disaster Emergency has been declared for the state of Colorado due to the rapidly growing Sharpe Fire that has scorched 11 400 ha (28 000 acres). Mandatory evacuations were issued for Campo and surrounding rural areas in southeastern Colorado after the Sharpe Fire crossed from Oklahoma under critical fire weather conditions on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
