Japan's Aomori Prefecture has requested assistance from the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) for snow removal, marking the first such request in 21 years. Record-breaking snowfall, reaching 183 centimeters in Aomori City, has overwhelmed local efforts, leading to fatal accidents and posing significant risks to residents, particularly the elderly.
Winter Storm Johannes swept across Sweden on December 27-28, 2025, resulting in three fatalities, leaving over 40,000 homes without power, and causing extensive travel disruptions. The storm also inflicted significant forest damage, estimated at 10 million cubic meters.
A light magnitude 2.6 earthquake occurred in the Mozambique Channel, 46 km east of Mamoudzou, Mayotte, on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 06:03 am local time. The shallow quake, with a depth of 38 km, was not reported felt by residents.
Storm Kristin battered Spain on January 28, 2026, bringing hurricane-force winds up to 130 km/h, heavy snowfall, and torrential rain. The storm caused significant disruption, including flipped trucks, widespread power outages, road and rail closures, and evacuations, with red alerts issued across multiple regions.
Antalya Province, Turkey, was struck by multiple powerful tornadoes and severe storms overnight on January 26, 2026. The extreme weather caused extensive damage to over 200 hectares of greenhouses, critical infrastructure, and exacerbated ongoing flooding across several districts, prompting significant emergency response efforts.
Multiple tornadoes, accompanied by heavy rainfall and large hail, struck Antalya Province, Turkey, between January 24-26, 2019. The severe weather caused extensive damage to over 200 hectares of greenhouses, critical infrastructure including Antalya Airport, and resulted in at least three fatalities and numerous injuries.
Antalya Province, Turkey, was struck by multiple tornadoes on January 26, 2026, causing extensive damage to approximately 202 hectares of greenhouses and critical infrastructure, further complicating conditions following recent flooding. No casualties have been reported.
Mount Ile Lewotolok in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara experienced 38 eruptions within a six-hour period on early Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The volcano, currently at Alert Level III, propelled molten lava 200 meters into the air and emitted ash, prompting authorities to reiterate a three-kilometer exclusion zone around its crater.
Storm Chandra has caused extensive flooding, severe travel disruption, and widespread school closures across the United Kingdom. 'Danger to life' warnings were issued in parts of Devon and Dorset as heavy rainfall and strong winds battered the nation on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
The Italian government has declared a 12-month state of emergency for Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria following the severe impact of Cyclone Harry. The storm caused damages estimated to exceed 1 billion euros, prompting an initial allocation of 100 million euros for reconstruction and urgent repairs. No casualties were reported on Italian soil, though migrant drownings occurred in the Mediterranean.
Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano continues its eruptive phase, characterized by gas and vapor plumes, exhalations, and tremors. Authorities maintain a 'Yellow Alert - Phase 2,' urging the public to respect a 12-kilometer exclusion zone and follow safety guidelines for potential ashfall.
The Central-West region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, experienced severe flooding between January 23 and 24, 2026, following heavy rainfall. The city of Formiga recorded 211 millimeters of rain in 24 hours, leading to overflowing rivers, urban inundation, and leaving residents displaced and homeless. Civil Defense and local authorities are actively monitoring the situation and providing assistance.
Heavy rainfall and widespread flooding in South Africa's Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces have resulted in 38 fatalities and extensive damage to infrastructure and thousands of homes. A national state of disaster was declared on January 18, 2026, as relief efforts are underway, hampered by ongoing adverse weather conditions. The floods have also impacted Kruger National Park, causing significant financial losses.
Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano continues its eruptive activity, with authorities maintaining the 'Yellow Alert - Phase 2' warning level. The Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENAPRED) reported ongoing exhalations and gas emissions, urging the public to respect a 12-kilometer exclusion zone around the crater.
Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula is grappling with its most severe snowstorm in decades, with snow depths exceeding two meters and drifts reaching up to 12 meters. A state of emergency has been declared, paralyzing daily life, transportation, and leading to supply shortages and at least two fatalities.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the Ñuble and Biobío regions in February 2023 due to severe forest fires. The blazes resulted in 26 fatalities, destroyed over 2,400 homes, and forced the evacuation of at least 30,000 people, scorching nearly 441,000 hectares.
Chile experienced a series of light to moderate earthquakes on January 17 and 18, 2026, with the strongest reaching magnitude 4.1 near Diego de Almagro. The National Seismological Center monitored the seismic activity across various regions, including Atacama and Antofagasta. No significant damage or injuries have been reported.
A severe winter storm swept across Israel from January 12-14, 2026, bringing extreme rainfall, powerful winds, and widespread flooding. The storm resulted in at least one fatality in Jerusalem, a missing teenager, numerous road closures, flight cancellations, and significant property damage across the country.
A new global study led by the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL) has found that Europe is experiencing the strongest increase in the frequency of very large hail events. Changes in atmospheric moisture near the surface are identified as the primary meteorological driver, though increased exposure also contributes to rising economic losses.
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred in northern Chile's Tarapacá region on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, with its epicenter southwest of Mina Collahuasi. The deep tremor, at approximately 118-120 km, was felt but is not expected to cause significant damage or a tsunami.
