An atmospheric river (AR) and low-pressure system are forecasted to bring widespread precipitation, including heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada and potential flooding along the US West Coast, from February 28 through March 3, 2024.
A series of out-of-control wildfires swept through the Texas Panhandle on February 27 and 28, 2024, prompting tens of thousands of residents to evacuate, causing widespread power outages, and forcing the temporary shutdown of the Pantex Plant, a critical nuclear weapons facility. The disaster, affecting numerous homes and prompting a disaster declaration in 60 counties, saw the Smokehouse Creek Fire rapidly grow to Texas’ 2nd largest wildfire in history.
An impending winter storm, driven by an upper-level trough and strong cold front from the northeastern Pacific and western Canada, is forecasted to deliver significant snowfall and strong gusty winds to much of the West in the coming days. Heavy snow is expected in the Central Rockies and Cascades through Monday, extending to the Sierra and the Northern Rockies/Great Basin by Tuesday, with over a foot of snow possible in many areas.
A bright fireball streaked through the night sky over Pennsylvania, U.S. at around 23:48 UTC on February 21, 2024. Hundreds of people reported the event despite significant cloud cover.
An atmospheric river event continues directing subtropical moisture over much of California on Monday, February 19, 2024. Heavy coastal and low elevation rain, thunderstorms, heavy mountain snow and high winds are all expected from this new atmospheric river event.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has detected a notable increase in seismicity at Mount Gareloi beginning at 18:15 UTC on February 12, 2024, prompting the elevation of the Aviation Color Code to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory. Despite the uptick in seismic activity, there are no signs of an imminent eruption.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning on February 11, 2024, about a significant winter storm impacting the Southern Rockies and High Plains, moving northeast towards the Northern Mid-Atlantic, New York, and New England. Expected heavy snowfall, powerful winds, and potential coastal flooding are set to disrupt travel and cause power outages across affected regions.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.7 (downgraded from M6.3) hit the southeastern flank of Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii at 20:33 UTC on February 9, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 36.8 km (22.8 miles).
California, still reeling from a historic atmospheric river that left nine people dead and hundreds of mudslides, faces a new threat from a fast-moving storm.
An intense atmospheric river event hit California on Sunday, February 4, 2024, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency in eight counties due to the potential for “life-threatening” flooding, mudslides, and widespread power outages. The National Weather Service warns of significant rainfall, powerful winds, and heavy snowfall continuing over the next few days.
