A massive storm is affecting the western United States, dropping heavy rain and causing floods, mudslides, and evacuations. Significant flooding is expected in parts of drought-stricken California and western Nevada. At least three people have lost their lives by…
Hundreds of thousands of people have been stranded in major flooding in Thailand's south since January 1, 2017. Authorities reported Sunday, January 8, that at least 19 people have died and that military forces have been deployed to cope with massive flooding….
Cold Arctic air has reached and settled over the central Mediterranean, now causing bitterly cold temperatures across much of Europe. Hurricane-force winds are affecting the Adriatic coast for the second day in a row and producing intense sea-effect snowfall over…
A very strong Pacific frontal system is expected to rapidly spread moisture back into the West Coast by late Friday night, January 6 and into Saturday morning, January 7. The storm could bring 36 straight hours of heavy rain from Mammoth Mountain to Susanville,…
According to Munich RE, a global reinsurance company, after three years of relatively low natural catastrophe losses, the 'figures for 2016 are back in the mid-range, where they are expected to be.' In terms of casualties, 2016 had the fewest fatalities…
A very strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.9 (downgraded from M7.2) hit south of Fiji at 21:51 UTC on January 3, 2017. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Geoscience Australia is reporting M7.1 at a depth of 30 km (18.6…
At least two people have died and 4 were injured after a shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.5 hit India at 09:09 UTC (14:39 local time) on January 3, 2017. The agency is reporting a depth of 36.1 km (22.4 miles). IMD is reporting M5.7 at a depth of 27…
Tens of thousands of people have lost power as severe weather rolled through the southern United States and turned deadly on Monday, January 2, 2017. As of early January 3 (UTC), at least 5 people have lost their lives. Authorities fear the death toll will rise and…
China's environmental authorities have placed 24 cities on red pollution alert, strengthening inspections and enforcements to fight air pollution violations. According to the China.org.cn, the smog prompted 24 cities including Shijiazhuang and Baoding in Hebei…
January 2017 hosts one of the most intense annual meteor showers – the Quadrantids, known for producing spectacular fireballs. The timing favors western parts of North America and islands across the Pacific. The peak of Quadrantids is brief, typically lasting no…
