A severe weather outbreak on April 13, 2026, produced at least 14 preliminary tornado reports across Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, with the most serious reported damage in and near Ottawa. No fatalities were immediately reported, but storm surveys were still underway as forecasters warned of additional rounds of severe weather through at least April 16.
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.7 hit western Nevada near Silver Springs at 01:29 UTC on April 14, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 5 km (3.1 miles). The quake was followed by over 25 aftershocks by 04:26 UTC, with the strongest registered as M3.6.
A tornado briefly touched down in a remote grassland area of southeastern Tehama County, California, at 14:05 PDT (21:05 UTC) on April 12, 2026, about 6.4 km (4 miles) southeast of Vina. The touchdown lasted about 1 minute and caused no reported injuries or structural damage, according to NWS Sacramento.
The Storm Prediction Center placed parts of southwest and central Texas under a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms on April 12, 2026, with isolated to scattered severe storms possible through this evening. The main concern is for redevelopment later today from southeast and south-central Texas into southwest Texas, where large hail and damaging wind gusts are possible.
Tephra up to 25 cm (10 inches) was reported in the Volcano Golf Course subdivision near Kīlauea, Hawaiʻi, during episode 44 of the ongoing summit eruption, which ended at 05:41 UTC on April 10, 2026, after 8 hours and 31 minutes of lava fountaining. The eruption generated 5.8 million m³ (7.5 million cubic yards) of lava, while ash and Pele’s hair reached as far as Hilo, prompting warnings and temporary closures.
A daylight fireball was observed across multiple northeastern U.S. states at 18:34 UTC on April 7, 2026, producing 260 eyewitness reports and multiple videos and photographs. The object entered the atmosphere above the Atlantic Ocean and disintegrated over New Jersey after traveling more than 180 km (112 miles).
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for all Hawaiian islands as a developing low-pressure system, described as a kona low, brings increasing moisture and instability to the region from Wednesday, April 8, through Friday, April 10, 2026. Excessive rainfall may lead to flash flooding, runoff impacts, and landslides across all major islands.
Flooding developed across northern Indiana, southern Michigan, and northwest Ohio between March 31 and April 5, 2026, following multiple rounds of heavy rainfall totaling over 100 mm (4 inches) in many locations. Rivers including the St. Joseph, Maumee, and Tippecanoe rose rapidly to moderate flood stage, with some locations experiencing sharp rises within hours. Flooding impacted parks, infrastructure, and transportation, with additional storm damage reported in parts of Ohio.
Freezing rain and heavy snow impacted the Upper Midwest on April 2 and 3, 2026, with significant ice accumulation leading to power outages across Wisconsin and hazardous travel conditions across multiple states. Forecasts indicate continued wintry precipitation through April 5 as additional systems move across the region.
Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are unfolding across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest on April 2, 2026, as a low-pressure system tracks northeast. A second winter storm is forecast to intensify from April 3–4, worsening the ongoing hazardous travel and increasing the risk of power outages across the Great Lakes region.
