A major X2.4 solar flare erupted from Active Region 4419 at 01:07 UTC on April 24, 2026. The event started at 00:51 UTC and ended at 01:13 UTC. A large coronal mass ejection was produced, but it’s not expected to be Earth-directed. This is the first X-class solar flare since X1.4 on March 30.
Hundreds of wildfires continued burning across southern Georgia on April 22, 2026, prompting authorities to place 91 counties under a State of Emergency for at least 30 days. The fires have burned more than 14 160 ha (35 000 acres) this month, destroyed dozens of structures, and forced evacuations as drought conditions persist.
A major earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.4 struck near the east coast of Honshu, Japan, at 07:53 UTC (16:53 local time) on April 20, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). JMA and EMSC are reporting M7.4 at a depth of 10 km (6 miles). According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), hazardous tsunami waves are possible within 300 km (186 miles) of the epicenter.
Red Heavy Rain Warnings were issued for Wellington and Wairarapa on Monday, April 20, 2026, as flooding, swollen rivers, and landslides cut through infrastructure across the region, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency. Further heavy rain is forecast through Tuesday, April 21, with accumulations of up to 150 mm (5.9 inches) expected in the hardest-hit areas.
A severe weather outbreak produced multiple tornadoes across the Midwestern United States on April 17, 2026, resulting in structural damage to residential buildings and infrastructure in several states. Preliminary National Weather Service data indicates more than 20 tornado reports, with impacts concentrated in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota and extending into Missouri, and at least one reported injury.
A multi-phase severe weather event is expected to impact the central United States on April 17, 2026, from northern Oklahoma to Wisconsin, with an Enhanced Risk of severe storms in place. Initial supercells may produce strong tornadoes and large hail before transitioning into an organized system capable of widespread damaging winds and localized flash flooding.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck the Northern Mariana Islands late on April 14, 2026, bringing sustained winds near 241 km/h (150 mph) at peak impact and unusually slow movement that kept destructive conditions over populated islands for hours. The islands of Saipan and Tinian sustained widespread infrastructure damage, prolonged utility outages, blocked roads, and flooding, with officials warning that full restoration in some hard-hit areas could take days to weeks.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku approached Saipan and Tinian on April 14, 2026, with destructive typhoon-force winds, life-threatening coastal flooding and torrential rain expected through Wednesday. The National Weather Service said the storm’s center was just southeast of the islands Tuesday afternoon local time, with the eyewall nearing both islands and dangerous conditions already affecting parts of the Marianas.
Cyclone Vaianu crossed New Zealand’s North Island on Sunday, April 12, 2026, bringing damaging winds, torrential rain, and large swells that caused flooding, evacuations, power outages, and transport disruption across several districts. The storm made landfall near the Māketū Peninsula in Bay of Plenty shortly after 14:00 LT on Sunday before tracking southeast and moving offshore later that evening. Cleanup continued on Monday as authorities assessed slips, flood damage and coastal impacts.
Typhoon Sinlaku intensified into a dangerous major typhoon over the western Pacific on April 12, 2026, as officials issued typhoon warnings for Rota, Tinian and Saipan, and a tropical storm warning for Guam. The storm was forecast to strengthen further on April 13, reaching super typhoon strength, before nearing the Marianas, where destructive winds, coastal inundation, and flash flooding are possible from late April 13 into April 14.
