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US: Avalanches Hit Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, Injure Skiers and Close State Road

A backcountry avalanche struck Big Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday morning, February 21, prompting a search and rescue response and the closure of State Route 190, causing major traffic disruptions. Two skiers were buried in a separate slide the same day and suffered critical and serious injuries, while another avalanche later injured one person. After heavy snowfall created unstable snowpack, more than 50 avalanches have been reported across northern Utah in 48 hours, and officials warn of extremely dangerous conditions.

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US: Storm Slams Sierra Nevada With Heavy Snow, Travel Disrupted

Heavy snowfall continues across the Sierra Nevada, delivering significant snowpack but creating dangerous conditions. Several feet of snow have already accumulated, with some higher elevations expected to receive well over 10 feet before storms taper off next week. Strong winds and intense snowfall have triggered avalanche warnings and reduced visibility, prompting search and rescue efforts after a backcountry avalanche. Travel has been severely impacted, with whiteout conditions and intermittent closures along Interstate 80 near Donner Summit.

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US: Northern Arizona Battered by Winter Storm, Whiteout Conditions Hit High Country

A powerful winter storm has rocked Northern Arizona, damaging power lines and forcing school closures in Flagstaff and at the Grand Canyon. On February 18, the National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning for gusts up to 60 mph, which combined with snowfall to create dangerous whiteout conditions. The Flagstaff Unified School District cancelled all classes as a result, and unsettled winter weather is expected to persist through the week.

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US: Winter Storm Lashing North Dakota’s Capital, Blowing Snow Seen Across Bismarck

The Capital Region’s winter storm began on Tuesday night, February 17, as rain due to unseasonably mild temperatures. As the cold front pushed through, the precipitation transitioned to snow; Bismarck recorded a quarter-inch of rain followed by two inches of snowfall, while northern North Dakota saw significantly higher accumulations. The Bismarck-Mandan area remained under a Winter Weather Advisory through Wednesday night, February 18, as strong winds continued to cause hazardous blowing snow.

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Spain: Storm Pedro Blankets Northern Regions in Heavy Snow

Thursday, February 19, begins with unsettled weather across much of the country. A total of 13 autonomous communities are under warning for powerful gusts, hazardous coastal conditions, and snowfall as Storm Pedro moves across the peninsula. Snow is expected above 700 meters in the Cantabrian Mountains and the Pyrenees, with significant accumulations at higher altitudes. Aragon, Navarra, La Rioja, Castile and León, and Castile-La Mancha remain on yellow alert for wind and snow, indicating a low but present risk to residents.

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US: Coldest Storm of the Season Buries Sierra Nevada in Heavy Snow 3

Rolling thunderstorms and strong winds swept across California as the season’s coldest storm dumped heavy snow on the Sierra Nevada. The heavy snow created dangerous backcountry conditions, and a large avalanche near Truckee killed at least eight skiers. Ski areas around Lake Tahoe reported significant totals, with more than 40 inches of new snow in 24 hours.

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US: Coldest Storm of the Season Buries Sierra Nevada in Heavy Snow 2

Rolling thunderstorms and strong winds swept across California as the season’s coldest storm dumped heavy snow on the Sierra Nevada. The heavy snow created dangerous backcountry conditions, and a large avalanche near Truckee killed at least eight skiers. Ski areas around Lake Tahoe reported significant totals, with more than 40 inches of new snow in 24 hours.

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US: Thundersnow Captured in Northern Minnesota

Thundersnow was captured in northern Minnesota on Tuesday, February 17, as a powerful storm system moved into the region.

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Chile: M6.2 Earthquake Shakes Coquimbo Region

A strong 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Coquimbo region of northern Chile on Thursday morning, February 12. The quake hit near the town of Punitaqui at a depth of nearly 37 km. No tsunami warning was issued, and there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The video shows power lines swaying in San Ramón, Coquimbo.

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US: Thousands of San Francisco Teachers Strike Over Pay and Benefits

Thousands of teachers rallied in San Francisco on Wednesday, February 11, the third day of a strike by about 6,000 educators over wages, health benefits and support for special needs students, leaving nearly 50,000 students out of class and 120 schools closed.

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Colombia: Rare Persistent Rainfall Triggers Mass Casualties Amid Flooding Crisis

A rare spell of persistent rainfall triggered catastrophic flooding and landslides across northern Colombia, including Cordoba and Sucre, leaving at least 22 people dead. The severe climate emergency has submerged more than 40,000 hectares of land, devastating multiple departments and displacing thousands of homes.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A board with posters of candidates for the House of Representatives election stands in the snow in Otaru in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A board with posters of candidates for the House of Representatives election stands in the snow in Otaru in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A board with posters of candidates for the House of Representatives election stands in the snow in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 6, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A board with posters of candidates for the House of Representatives election stands in the snow in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 6, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Otaru in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Otaru in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Otaru in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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Sapporo Snow Festival

SAPPORO, Japan, Feb. 4 Kyodo - People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures. (Kyodo)

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Japan: Heavy Snow Paralyzes Aomori as Record Accumulation Piles Up

A series of strong cold air masses brought heavy snowfall to northern Japan from January 21 through February 2. According to authorities, a total of 30 people have died across the region since January 20 due to snow-related incidents. In Aomori City, numerous vehicles were left stranded by the snow, causing traffic congestion in many areas. Snow accumulation reached 178 centimeters on February 2—about 2.6 times the seasonal average—prompting the closure of all public elementary and junior high schools in the city.

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Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

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Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

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Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

The 76th Sapporo Snow Festival opens in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan on Feb. 4, 2026, with about 2 million people expected to visit the event featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures through Feb. 11.

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China: Snowboarder Loses Control and Tumbles Down Snowy Slope in Xinjiang

On December 31, 2025, in Altay, northern China’s Xinjiang region, a video recorded a skier descending from the top of a snowy mountain. Shortly after starting, the skier lost balance. The skier rolled and slid repeatedly down the slope, tumbling across the snow. The fall continued until the skier finally hit a safety net. No injuries were reported.

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Japan: Record January Snowfall Hits Aomori, Disrupting Traffic and Trains

On January 28, Aomori City recorded 150 centimeters of snowfall for the first time in 40 years, causing traffic congestion across the city and a series of train service suspensions. Snow depth reached 154 centimeters by 9 p.m., tying for the second-highest January total on record, last seen on January 30, 1986. According to Aomori Prefecture, as of 2 p.m. on January 29, two people had died and 85 others were injured, while damage was confirmed at four residential properties. The video captures conditions in Aomori City on the morning of January 29, showing the extent of the heavy snowfall.

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Portugal: Storm Kristin Triggers Deadly Floods and Landslides, Leaving 850,000 Without Power

Storm Kristin has left at least five dead and caused widespread devastation across central and northern Portugal. Labeled an 'extreme climatic event' by the government, the storm brought hurricane-force winds that triggered over 3,300 emergency incidents and knocked out power to 855,000 residents on Wednesday, January 28. While the peak has passed, major rail lines remain suspended and hundreds of thousands of homes are still without electricity as cleanup efforts continue.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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China: Auroras Glow Over Heilongjiang After Geomagnetic Storm

Residents in Mohe, Heilongjiang, China, witnessed rare red and green auroras lighting up the night sky after a geomagnetic storm on January 20, 2026.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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[Breaking News]Icefall festival in Hokkaido

KAMIKAWA, Japan, Jan. 25 Kyodo - An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8. (Kyodo)

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Spain: Storm Ingrid Brings Hurricane-Force Winds and Snow, Red Warnings Issued

The devastating effects of Storm Ingrid linger this Monday, January 26 across Spain, following a weekend of rare red warnings issued for both the mainland and the Canary Islands. The northern coast remains under high alert as the maritime storm continues to batter Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country. Authorities maintain red alerts in these four autonomous communities due to 'extraordinary' coastal hazards, characterized by massive swells and hurricane-force gusts.

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China: “Shepherd Pig” Follows Flock of Sheep in Inner Mongolia

On January 6, 2026, in Inner Mongolia, located in northern China, a video captured an unusual sight on a prairie road. A flock of sheep ran ahead while a small pig trotted behind them at a steady pace. Its determined steps made it look as though it were acting as a shepherd dog, keeping pace with the flock.

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Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People walk near the Sapporo Clock Tower in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

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Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People cross a street in a downtown area of Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

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Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People walk on a street in a downtown area of Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Nika Prevc (C) of Slovenia poses after winning the World Cup women's ski jumping gold at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 25, 2026, alongside silver medalist Abigail Strate (L) of Canada and bronze medalist Heidi Dyhre Traaserud of Norway.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Heidi Dyhre Traaserud of Norway competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping bronze at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 25, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Nika Prevc of Slovenia competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping gold at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 25, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Abigail Strate of Canada competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping silver at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 25, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Abigail Strate of Canada competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping silver at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 25, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Anna Odine Stroem of Norway competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping bronze at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Abigail Strate of Canada competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping silver at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026.

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