• Kona low brings extreme rainfall to Maui and Oʻahu, causing flooding and landslides across Hawaiʻi

    A slow-moving Kona low brought extreme rainfall to the Hawaiian Islands between March 10–16, 2026, producing record-breaking totals at multiple long-term stations, particularly on Maui and Oʻahu. Honolulu and Kahului both set new daily rainfall records on March 13, while multi-day accumulations on Maui reached up to about 1 170 mm (46 inches), triggering flooding, landslides, and widespread disruption.

  • Category 5 Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle forecast to cross Far North Queensland on March 20

    Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle intensified into a Category 5 system on March 19, 2026, and is forecast to cross the Cape York Peninsula between Lockhart River and Cape Melville, Queensland, on the morning of March 20. Very destructive wind gusts of more than 250 km/h (155 mph), heavy rainfall of 100 to 350 mm (4 to 14 inches), and dangerous coastal conditions including abnormally high tides and large waves are forecast near and south of the landfall area, although slight weakening to a high-end Category 4 before crossing remains possible.

  • At least 30 dead and 39 missing after extreme rainfall causes severe flooding and landslides in Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Severe flooding and landslides struck the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais between February 23 and 24, 2026, following extreme rainfall that exceeded three times the monthly average. At least 30 people died, 39 remain missing, and more than 3 000 were displaced as torrential downpours caused the Paraibuna River to overflow in Juiz de Fora and inundate parts of Ubá.

  • Late-February 2026 Nor’easter sets all-time snowfall records and leaves 650 000 without power across Northeast U.S.

    A rapidly intensifying Nor’easter brought record-breaking snowfall, hurricane-force winds, and major disruptions across the northeastern United States on February 23, 2026. Providence, Rhode Island, recorded 96.3 cm (37.9 inches) of snow, the highest single-storm total on record, while power outages peaked above 650 000 customers and more than 11 000 flights were canceled nationwide. Officials confirmed at least four storm-related fatalities in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

  • Arequipa flooding emergency deepens with 17 fatalities confirmed after rescue helicopter crash, Peru

    Intense rainfall that began on February 19, 2026, continued to affect Peru’s Arequipa Province through February 23, causing severe floods and landslides. Authorities reported at least 17 fatalities, including one caused by flooding, one by lightning, and 15 when a Peruvian Air Force (FAP) helicopter transporting evacuees crashed during relief operations in Caravelí Province. Hundreds of homes, roads, and bridges were damaged, and essential services remained disrupted as emergency and debris-removal efforts continued.

  • Major Nor’easter produces hurricane-force gusts, up to 66 cm (24 inches) of snow and widespread outages across Northeast U.S.

    Heavy snow and strong winds continued across the northeastern United States on February 23, 2026, as a major Nor’easter that began February 22 produced blizzard conditions, widespread travel disruption, scattered power outages, and minor to moderate coastal flooding from the Chesapeake Bay to New England. Over 660 000 customers from Virginia to New York and Massachusetts are without power.

  • Severe winter storm paralyzes the New York metropolitan area, grounding flights and closing schools

    A major blizzard struck New York on February 22, 2026, prompting a citywide travel ban and declaration of a State of Emergency. Snowfall totals reached 35.6 cm (14.0 inches) on Staten Island and 23.6 cm (9.3 inches) in Central Park. All schools have been closed on February 23, as Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared the first traditional snow day since 2019. No remote instruction will take place, and all after-school activities are cancelled.

  • Ranger Road Fire doubles in size in one day, reaching over 114 650 ha (283 000 acres) in Kansas-Oklahoma

    The Ranger Road Fire nearly doubled in size from 58 700 ha (145 000 acres) to over 114 650 ha (283 000 acres) within roughly 24 hours after ignition at 11:40 LT on February 17, 2026, when it crossed the Kansas–Oklahoma border. As of February 18, containment stood at 15% following rapid expansion driven by dry fuels and high winds. Authorities closed sections of Kansas highways 283, 160, and 183.

  • France records highest soil moisture since 1959 amid nationwide flood alerts

    France’s national flood monitoring service reports that soil moisture in the country has reached its highest level since records began in 1959. The prolonged rainfall of the past two months, intensified by Storm Nils, left soils fully saturated and reduced infiltration capacity, sustaining elevated flood risk nationwide. Evacuations, infrastructure closures, and power outages were reported in several regions.