• Shandong experiences strongest March snowstorm since 1971, China

    East China’s Shandong province experienced its heaviest March snowstorm since 1971 from March 1 to 3, 2025, with snow accumulation reaching up to 20 cm (7.9 inches), causing widespread disruptions to daily life and transportation. Events like this are rare for early March in Shandong’s temperate monsoon climate, where cold, dry winters usually limit snowfall to lighter amounts between December and February, especially in milder coastal areas influenced by the Yellow Sea.

  • Japan hit by largest wildfire in over 30 years

    A massive forest fire has burned approximately 1 400 ha (3 460 acres) in Akasaki Town, Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, since it broke out on February 26, 2025. This is now the largest wildfire in modern Japan history, surpassing the previous record of 1 030 ha (2 545 acres) set in Kushiro, Hokkaido, in 1992.

  • Florida breaks all-time snowfall record as historic winter storm sweeps through the Southeast

    A historic winter storm swept through the southeastern United States this week, bringing heavy snowfall across nine states and claiming 10 lives. In Florida, Pensacola experienced unprecedented snowfall, with reports of 13 – 30 cm (5 – 12 inches) on January 21 surpassing the state’s all-time snowfall record of 10 cm (4 inches) set in Milton in 1954.

  • Los Angeles wildfires destroy over 12 000 structures, leave at least 24 people dead, California

    Catastrophic wildfires fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds have been sweeping through Southern California since Tuesday, January 8, 2025, killing at least 24 people, displacing over 200 000 residents, and destroying more than 12 000 homes and buildings. In addition, more than 360 000 customers, or just over 1 million people in California were left without power.