JQJOLatest news →

Environment news archive · April 2026

Find published stories by month and topic.

Browse by month

Regional forecasts warn frost, rain, and mountain snow

United States. Multiple local weather services report that incoming cold fronts and low-pressure systems will produce below-normal temperatures, scattered showers, and isolated thunderstorms across the Midwest, Southeast…

Southwest cities enact measures to stretch water supplies

Phoenix city leaders this week outlined plans to move from Stage 1 to Stage 2 drought management by year-end as Colorado River allocations decline, while Midvale enacted a temporary 25% drought surcharge effective May 1 …

Forecasters Warn Of Multi-Day Rain Across Southeast

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Regional meteorologists issued forecasts predicting rain across the Carolinas and parts of Mississippi beginning Wednesday, with light-to-moderate showers during the morning commute and potential scatte…

Tornado Strikes Mineral Wells; Injuries Reported, Cleanup Underway

Mineral Wells, Texas. A confirmed tornado struck Mineral Wells Tuesday evening after the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning at 5:11 p.m. CDT, ripping through parts of the small city and damaging buildings,…

NWS Confirms Multiple Tornadoes Across Tennessee, Indiana

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — National Weather Service teams will delay on-site surveys of two possible tornadoes in Middle Tennessee until Wednesday because a second round of severe storms is expected to move through the region Tu…

Georgia Declares Statewide Level 1 Drought Response Today

Atlanta. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division declared a statewide Level 1 drought response effective April 27, directing all public water systems using surface or groundwater to implement public information cam…

Multi-state severe storm threat begins Monday into midweek

Indianapolis — Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected across Central Indiana and neighboring regions beginning Monday, Apr. 27, 2026, with forecasters warning that some storms could become severe. Local stations d…

Southern Georgia wildfires expand, destroy dozens of homes

Nahunta, Georgia. Two large wildfires burning in southern Georgia since April 20 expanded over the weekend, officials reported Monday, with the Highway 82 Fire and the Pineland Road Fire together scorching tens of thousa…

North Texas Tornadoes Kill Two, Damage Runaway Bay

RUNAWAY BAY, Texas. An EF-2 tornado struck Runaway Bay on Saturday evening during a severe thunderstorm, producing peak winds measured at 135 mph and causing major structural damage; an additional EF-1 tornado was confir…

Severe storms, tornado risk threaten multiple U.S. regions

Dallas reported severe storms late Saturday into early Sunday as a system produced large hail, damaging winds and possible tornadoes across North Texas; local officials and meteorologists warned of additional storm round…

Storm Chances Increase, Severe Risk Possible Next Week

Mobile, Alabama. Local meteorologists reported lingering showers and weakening storms this morning, with mostly cloudy skies and scattered afternoon redevelopment possible across parts of Alabama and Kentucky. Forecaster…

Regional forecasts predict heat, storms, air-quality alerts ahead

Richmond, Va. meteorologists issued forecasts this week stating hot, dry conditions will persist through Friday, with scattered showers and storms expected Saturday and into next week across parts of Virginia, North Caro…

Series of Tornadoes Strike California and Oklahoma Communities

Enid, Okla. — A confirmed large tornado struck southeast Enid on Thursday night, April 23, 2026, ripping roofs off homes, damaging structures near Vance Air Force Base, and tossing vehicles; the National Weather Service …

Southeast U.S. Regions Face Rapidly Worsening Drought Conditions

Mobile, Alabama: The U.S. Drought Monitor reported Thursday that all of Alabama is now classified in drought, with nearly half the state in D3–D4 extreme to exceptional categories; similar intensification this week affec…

Warm spell gives way to weekend rain across regions

United States regions from the Southeast to the Southwest reported warm, dry conditions Thursday and Friday before model guidance indicated a change. Forecasters documented highs in the mid 70s to low 80s across multiple…

Southeast wildfires destroy homes, prompt widespread evacuations

NAHUNTA, Ga. On Wednesday, April 22, rapidly spreading wildfires raced across southeastern United States terrain, destroying more than 50 homes in Georgia and prompting mass evacuations in Georgia and northern Florida; e…

Governor Kemp declares emergency amid Georgia wildfire surge

ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency Wednesday for 91 Georgia counties, ordered the Georgia Forestry Commission and related agencies to mobilize all necessary resources, and the state forester issued a…

American Lung Association report highlights varied air quality

United States: The American Lung Association released its annual State of the Air report this week, using EPA monitoring data from 2022–2024 to grade counties and metropolitan areas on ozone and particle pollution. The r…

Massachusetts authorities approve sewer plan amid health concerns

Cambridge, Massachusetts — In February the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority approved a conservative sewer-upgrade approach for several communities that officials said would limit immediate capital expenditures but…

Railroad Fire Rapidly Expands Across Clay and Putnam

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — On Tuesday officials reported two separate fires in Clay and Putnam counties merged into the Railroad Fire, which rapidly expanded along rail lines and nearby cleared land; initial local reports noted…

Southeast Warned of Elevated Fire Risk and Hazards

Jacksonville, Florida: Local weather services warned residents this week that gusty east-northeast winds and very dry conditions across parts of Florida and neighboring Georgia have elevated daily fire danger and created…

Billings Prepares For Warm Days Then Strong Storms

BILLINGS — The Billings area will experience a warm, dry spell Monday and Tuesday with daytime highs generally in the mid-70s to around 80°F on Monday and mainly mid-80s on Tuesday, with eastern plains locations approach…

Regional forecasts warn of frost, fire risk, and storms

Richmond, Va. meteorologists with 12 On Your Side issued Monday and Tuesday forecasts this week reporting a cool, breezy start with frosty nights, high gusts and significantly dry fuels that elevate brush-fire danger acr…

Spring chill then warmup across multiple U.S. regions

Birmingham meteorologists warned Monday of a chilly start with lows in the low to mid 40s and pockets possibly dipping to the upper 30s, with sunshine returning and highs warming into the mid 70s; similar forecasts in Ke…

Warming Trend Raises Fire Risks Across U.S. Regions

Casper, Wyo. local meteorologists and National Weather Service offices reported that an early morning freeze warning gave way to a steady warming trend this weekend, with sunny conditions, gusty west winds, and highs ris…

All 2 pages