# Tavily Search Results: Dusty

**Query:** extreme weather events US and worldwide  
**Topic:** news  
**Results:** 5  
**Date:** 2026-05-01 12:05:49

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## 1. Weather tracker: Tornadoes and giant hail in central US - The Guardian

**URL:** [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/01/weather-tracker-tornadoes-and-giant-hail-in-central-us](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/01/weather-tracker-tornadoes-and-giant-hail-in-central-us)  
**Score:** 0.9867

### Summary

On Wednesday and Thursday, Moscow was hit by a late April snowstorm that broke numerous weather records. 21cm of snow accumulated overnight, the highest depth measured at this time of year since 1880. The cause of this event can be attributed to a stubborn area of high pressure situated over the North Atlantic, acting as a blockade, forcing Arctic air to plunge southwards into western Russia. The storm felled 740 trees and caused significant delays to air travel with wind gusts exceeding 50mph.

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## Most viewed [...] Forecasted extreme rainfall verified for parts of southern China this week. The heavens opened on Monday and Tuesday as 538mm fell in 12 hours, while peak hourly totals exceeded 147mm in Qinzhou in the south-central autonomous region of Guangxi. To put these totals into perspective, this area receives about 1,500 annually. Streets were engulfed by flood water, submerging hundreds of vehicles. Five people were left stranded in a residential building, and 800 residents had to be evacuated, while emergency personnel forged their way through chest-deep water in the most severely affected districts. [...] Eight tornadoes occurred on Monday, including an EF2 tornado that ripped through the town of Sycamore, Kansas. Tuesday brought a more widespread event across the mid-west states, most notably as a severe hailstorm moved through Springfield, Missouri. Hailstones up to 12cm (5in) in diameter fell across the city, causing widespread damage to cars, including cracked or completely shattered windscreens. Dickerson Park zoo on the north side of the city reported the death of Adam, an Emu caught outside during the storm. Early estimates indicate this event will be the costliest hailstorm in the city’s history.

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# Weather tracker: Tornadoes and giant hail in central US

Ed Walton and James Michelin for MetDesk

Strongest tornado hits Mineral Wells, Texas, where disaster was declared. Elsewhere, there is extreme rain in China

Springtime is the season for severe thunderstorms for the central US, and the beginning of this week was a particularly active period for the region. A favourable weather pattern allowed for the development of intense thunderstorms on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing strong winds, very large hail and strong tornadoes.

Eight tornadoes occurred on Monday, including an EF2 tornado that ripped through the town of Sycamore, Kansas. Tuesday brought a more widespread event across the mid-west states, most notably as a severe hailstorm moved through Springfield, Missouri. Hailstones up to 12cm (5in) in diameter fell across the city, causing widespread damage to cars, including cracked or completely shattered windscreens. Dickerson Park zoo on the north side of the city reported the death of Adam, an Emu caught outside during the storm. Early estimates indicate this event will be the costliest hailstorm in the city’s history.

The strongest tornado of the week occurred on Wednesday as an EF3 impacted Mineral Wells, Texas, containing wind speeds of up to 145mph (233km/h). The mayor declared a local disaster after five people were injured, alongside the widespread destruction of homes and businesses across the town. [Tornado Alley](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/04/us-tornadoes-global-heating-climate-science) residents will be grateful for a quieter period of severe weather, which is expected over the next week.

Forecasted extreme rainfall verified for parts of southern China this week. The heavens opened on Monday and Tuesday as 538mm fell in 12 hours, while peak hourly totals exceeded 147mm in Qinzhou in the south-central autonomous region of Guangxi. To put these totals into perspective, this area receives about 1,500 annually. Streets were engulfed by flood water, submerging hundreds of vehicles. Five people were left stranded in a residential building, and 800 residents had to be evacuated, while emergency personnel forged their way through chest-deep water in the most severely affected districts.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Moscow was hit by a late April snowstorm that broke numerous weather records. 21cm of snow accumulated overnight, the highest depth measured at this time of year since 1880. The cause of this event can be attributed to a stubborn area of high pressure situated over the North Atlantic, acting as a blockade, forcing Arctic air to plunge southwards into western Russia. The storm felled 740 trees and caused significant delays to air travel with wind gusts exceeding 50mph.

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## 2. Texas tornado kills at least one person as wildfires still rage in parts of Georgia - The Guardian

**URL:** [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/26/texas-tornado-georgia-wildfires-storms](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/26/texas-tornado-georgia-wildfires-storms)  
**Score:** 0.9632

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# Texas tornado kills at least one person as wildfires still rage in parts of Georgia

Extreme weather likely to continue after devastating homes and endangering millions in US south and midwest

At least one person was killed after a very powerful tornado struck northern Texas on Saturday night, as extreme weather continued to devastate homes and put millions across the south and midwestern US at risk, with wildfires also raging on in parts of Georgia. [...] Firefighters have been battling more than 150 other wildfires in Georgia and Florida that have sent smoky haze into places far from the flames, triggering air quality warnings for some cities.

Scientists say the threat of fire has been amplified by a combination of extreme drought, gusty winds, the climate crisis and dead trees still littering some forests after being toppled by Hurricane Helene in 2024.

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## Most viewed [...] Storms have battered the central US over the past week, with more than 30 tornadoes and over 230 reports of hail, according to AccuWeather.

At least 10 people were injured after a massive tornado struck northern Oklahoma on Thursday night. Approximately 40 homes were damaged, and light damage was reported at a nearby air force base. Though injuries were reported, there were no confirmed fatalities. Videos shared online revealed the unbelievable strength of the twister, as debris was sucked up into the rapidly rotating column of air.

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# Texas tornado kills at least one person as wildfires still rage in parts of Georgia

Extreme weather likely to continue after devastating homes and endangering millions in US south and midwest

At least [one person was killed](https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/runaway-bay-death/4015673/) after a very powerful tornado struck northern [Texas](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/texas) on Saturday night, as extreme weather continued to devastate homes and put millions across the south and midwestern US at risk, with [wildfires](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/25/georgia-florida-wildfires) also raging on in parts of [Georgia](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/state-of-georgia).

Officials from Wise county in [Texas](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/texas) said the storm reached the area at around 10pm and caused significant damage across multiple neighborhoods. In addition to the confirmed death, six people were treated or transported by emergency responders to be treated for storm-related injuries.

“This morning, we can confirm one fatality, and our collective prayers go to that family during this incredibly difficult time,” Wise county judge JD Clark said in a Sunday morning [press briefing](https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/video/wise-county-officials-share-sunday-morning-update-after-storms-rip-through-region/).

At least 20 families have been displaced, and many homes sustained major damage, according to initial reports.

The National Weather Service has [reported](https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd) that severe weather is likely to continue over the coming days, and that flash flooding is possible.

Storms have battered the central US over the past week, with more than 30 tornadoes and over 230 reports of hail, according to AccuWeather.

At least 10 people were injured after a massive [tornado struck](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/24/oklahoma-tornado) northern [Oklahoma](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/oklahoma) on Thursday night. Approximately 40 homes were damaged, and light damage was reported at a nearby air force base. Though injuries were reported, there were no confirmed fatalities. [Videos](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RvRUHiCFQCA?reload=9) [shared](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6yuaE3jj48) online revealed the unbelievable strength of the twister, as debris was sucked up into the rapidly rotating column of air.

Mere days after being ravaged by the twisters, residents across the plains are bracing for more even more severe weather.   
  
 “People in towns from Oklahoma to Kansas and northwestern Missouri should prepare for storms capable of producing tornadoes, large hail and damaging wind gusts over 70mph,” Tyler Roys, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, said in a statement.   
  
 “Tornadoes that strike after dark or are wrapped in rain are especially dangerous because they can be nearly impossible to see. Everyone in the region should be ready to act quickly and have multiple ways to receive warnings and alerts that can wake you overnight.”

In south-east Georgia, two massive wildfires had burnt more than 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) and decimated 120 homes by Sunday morning after [raging](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/23/wildfires-florida-georgia) [for](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/22/georgia-florida-wildfires) [days](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/24/oklahoma-tornado) amid [drought conditions](https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/apr/24/wildfires-in-florida-after-dry-winter-and-spring-lead-to-drought-across-us) in the region.

One, labeled the Highway 82 fire, has been burning since 20 April and has destroyed at least 87 homes. Brian Kemp, the Georgia governor, confirmed that the fire was started by a foil balloon hitting live power lines. As of Sunday afternoon, the fire had [grown](https://www.wokv.com/news/local/live-updates-brantley-county-wildfire-grows-20933-acres-7-contained-officials-say/XMZLOEPZIFAUTGE7KT7AWWB63E/) to 20,933 acres, and was only 7% contained.

“We’ve got the two most dangerous, biggest, problematic fires anywhere in the United States within just a very small area that we’re having to fight, so as you can imagine, it’s a lot for us to have to deal with,” Kemp said during a [Friday news conference](https://www.news4jax.com/news/georgia/2026/04/24/gov

*[Content truncated...]*

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## 3. Tornadoes, hail and high winds forecast to hit midwest and Mississippi valley - The Guardian

**URL:** [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/27/severe-storms-midwest-mississippi-valley](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/27/severe-storms-midwest-mississippi-valley)  
**Score:** 0.9263

### Summary

The latest storms follow a deadly weekend of severe weather. At least two people were killed when a tornado swept through northern Texas on Saturday night, and at least six others were injured.

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## Most viewed [...] The threat is not expected to end Monday, as the National Weather Service said a “plume of very moist and unstable air continues to surge northward ahead of the front, which will set the stage for several days of severe weather and heavy rainfall” across the mid- to lower Mississippi valleys and the mid-south.

It added that as a cold front pushes southward and overtakes a dryline in Texas – referring to a line separating moist and dry air – it is expected to trigger another round of thunderstorm clusters capable of severe hazards, along with scattered flash flooding later this week. However, the NWS noted that the coverage and intensity of Tuesday’s severe weather should be lower compared with Monday. [...] Skip to navigationSkip to navigation

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# Tornadoes, hail and high winds forecast to hit midwest and Mississippi valley

Severe storms put nearly 50 million at risk and follow a deadly weekend after tornado killed two people in Texas

Severe storms are expected to sweep across the mid-Mississippi valley and midwest regions of the US on Monday, putting nearly 50 million people at risk.

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# Tornadoes, hail and high winds forecast to hit midwest and Mississippi valley

Severe storms put nearly 50 million at risk and follow a deadly weekend after tornado killed two people in Texas

Severe storms are expected to sweep across the mid-Mississippi valley and midwest regions of the US on Monday, putting nearly 50 million people at risk.

The storm prediction center has [issued](https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/pwo.html) a level 4 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms across south-west Illinois and south-east Missouri, including major cities such as St Louis. Forecasters warned of “multiple strong to intense tornadoes, widespread severe/damaging wind gusts and scattered large to very large hail”, with some hail potentially reaching baseball size.

Wind gusts could climb to 60 to 70 miles per hour, bringing the threat of significant impacts. These include hail damage to vehicles, considerable tree damage, and wind damage to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

In a [statement](https://apnews.com/article/storms-tornadoes-missouri-st-louis-kansas-rescue-1c9df7f5f9bb905051c44ed909ffccb0) to the Associated Press on Monday, Kansas City fire battalion chief Riley Nolan said the department responded to 11 water rescues involving vehicles before 6am.

According to Nolan, most of the rescues “were in our typical ‘high-water’ areas following heavy rains” though he noted that no boats were required and no injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, Evan Bentley, a NWS warning coordination meteorologist, said tornadoes on Monday could reach EF2 to potentially EF3 strength, referring to “strong” and “severe” tornado classifications, in a separate [warning](https://x.com/NWSSPC/status/2048762513353847060?s=20) posted on X.

The NWS is urging residents to take precautions, advising people to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building, seek shelter in a well-built structure and stay away from windows.

The threat is not expected to end Monday, as the National Weather Service [said](https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd) a “plume of very moist and unstable air continues to surge northward ahead of the front, which will set the stage for several days of severe weather and heavy rainfall” across the mid- to lower Mississippi valleys and the mid-south.

It added that as a cold front pushes southward and overtakes a dryline in Texas – referring to a line separating moist and dry air – it is expected to trigger another round of thunderstorm clusters capable of severe hazards, along with scattered flash flooding later this week. However, the NWS noted that the coverage and intensity of Tuesday’s severe weather should be lower compared with Monday.

The latest storms follow a deadly weekend of severe weather. At least two people were killed when a tornado swept through northern Texas on Saturday night, and at least six others were injured.

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## 4. Fast-moving storms batter the Midwest, flooding streets and stranding commuters - AP News

**URL:** [https://apnews.com/article/storms-tornadoes-missouri-st-louis-kansas-rescue-1c9df7f5f9bb905051c44ed909ffccb0](https://apnews.com/article/storms-tornadoes-missouri-st-louis-kansas-rescue-1c9df7f5f9bb905051c44ed909ffccb0)  
**Score:** 0.0515

### Summary

National Weather Service teams confirmed that an EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 135 mph (217 kph) touched down in the Runaway Bay area on Saturday. An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph (169 kph) was confirmed in the Springtown area, the weather service said.

“Access has been difficult due to blocked roadways and downed utilities, but crews have continued pushing forward to reach those in need,” said Wise County Judge J.D. Clark, the county’s chief executive. [...] SECTIONS

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National Weather Service teams confirmed that an EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 135 mph (217 kph) touched down in the Runaway Bay area. An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph (169 kph) was confirmed in the Springtown area, the weather service said.

2 of 6 |  

A meal building rests twisted in a tree after a possible tornado, Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Springtown, Texas (Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

3 of 6 |  

A lineman works to repair a damaged power pole after severe weather hit the area, Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Springtown, Texas. (Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

4 of 6 |

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## 5. Nordic heatwave part of record year that saw temperatures scorch most of Europe, report finds - The Guardian

**URL:** [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/29/nordic-extreme-heat-environment-europe-report](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/29/nordic-extreme-heat-environment-europe-report)  
**Score:** 0.0385

### Summary

The heat melted snow and shrunk glaciers in every region of Europe, the report found, with Iceland witnessing its second-greatest loss of glacier mass on record. Meanwhile, the Greenland ice sheet lost 139 gigatons of ice in 2025 and raised global sea levels by nearly half a millimetre, according to the report.

European waters were the hottest ever seen after the fourth year in a row of broken sea surface temperature records, the scientists found. A record 86% of its ocean experienced “strong” heatwaves at some point in 2025, while 36% experienced “severe” or “extreme” heat. [...] Parts of Scandinavia were scorched last summer by 21 days of punishingly hot weather that led to “tropical nights” in typically cool countries such as Norway, Sweden and Finland, according to a scientific report campaigners said showed “all the emergency warning lights are flashing red”.

The scientists found temperatures in Europe have risen by 0.56C per decade since the mid-1990s – faster than any other continent on the planet – due to the blanket of fossil fuel pollution covering the Earth.

Annual sea surface temperatures in Europe reached the highest levels recorded, according to the EU’s Copernicus and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), while snow cover fell by 31% and snow mass by 45% from their average over the last few decades. [...] “All the emergency warning lights are flashing red,” said John Hyland from Greenpeace, which has said the EU’s climate targets are too low to fulfill its responsibilities. “Either governments take swift and effective action to cut carbon pollution right now or they can continue irresponsibly rolling back protections, placing countless people’s health, homes, jobs and livelihoods at risk.”

World leaders promised in 2015 to try to stop the planet from heating by more than 1.5C (2.7F) above preindustrial levels by the end of the century, a task that requires dramatic reductions in the burning of coal, oil and gas.

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# Nordic heatwave part of record year that saw temperatures scorch most of Europe, report finds

Scientists find annual sea surface temperatures across Europe reached highest levels recorded, while deadly wildfires set large parts of continent ablaze

The Nordic heatwave that pushed temperatures above 30C (86F) in the [Arctic](https://www.theguardian.com/world/arctic) Circle in July was part of a record-breaking year that saw abnormal heat sear more than 95% of Europe, a report has found.

Parts of Scandinavia were scorched last summer by 21 days of [punishingly hot weather](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/02/nordic-countries-hit-by-truly-unprecedented-heatwave) that led to “tropical nights” in typically cool countries such as Norway, Sweden and Finland, according to a scientific report campaigners said showed “all the emergency warning lights are flashing red”.

The scientists found temperatures in [Europe](https://www.theguardian.com/world/europe-news) have risen by 0.56C per decade since the mid-1990s – faster than any other continent on the planet – due to the blanket of fossil fuel pollution covering the Earth.

Annual sea surface temperatures in Europe reached the highest levels recorded, according to the EU’s Copernicus and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), while snow cover fell by 31% and snow mass by 45% from their average over the last few decades.

Svalbard, one of the fastest-warming places on the planet, has heated at three to four times the average European rate, the report found.

Hot weather fueled deadly wildfires in 2025 that set large parts of Europe ablaze. More than one million hectares of land went up in flames, 4.7% more than the previous record set in 2017.

The Iberian peninsula suffered the worst of the wildfires due to a dry summer after a wet spring. Plants grew rapidly before heatwaves turned them into fuel for fast-spreading fires.

In Spain, [volunteer firefighters died](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/14/wildfires-claim-third-life-in-spain-as-intense-heat-continues-across-europe) as they raced to carve out breaks in the vegetation around their villages with little more than farming tools to fend off flames. The burned area in Spain accounted for 38% of the European total.

The heat melted snow and shrunk glaciers in every region of Europe, the report found, with [Iceland](https://www.theguardian.com/world/iceland) witnessing its second-greatest loss of glacier mass on record. Meanwhile, the Greenland ice sheet lost 139 gigatons of ice in 2025 and raised global sea levels by nearly half a millimetre, according to the report.

European waters were the hottest ever seen after the fourth year in a row of broken sea surface temperature records, the scientists found. A record 86% of its ocean experienced “strong” heatwaves at some point in 2025, while 36% experienced “severe” or “extreme” heat.

“All the emergency warning lights are flashing red,” said John Hyland from [Greenpeace](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/greenpeace), which has said the EU’s climate targets are too low to fulfill its responsibilities. “Either governments take swift and effective action to cut carbon pollution right now or they can continue irresponsibly rolling back protections, placing countless people’s health, homes, jobs and livelihoods at risk.”

World leaders promised in 2015 to try to stop the planet from heating by more than 1.5C (2.7F) above preindustrial levels by the end of the century, a task that requires dramatic reductions in the burning of coal, oil and gas.

The failure to cut pollution in line with scientific roadmaps has pushed global heating past 1.3C. Limiting global heating to 1.5C now relies on removing vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to bring temperatures down.

Celeste Saulo, the secretary general of the WMO, said record greenhouse gas levels had made it “virtually impossible” to keep global heating below 1.5C without temporarily overshooting the target. “What is important is to keep this overshoot as short and as shallow as possible.”

In February, the EU’s scientific advisers [urged it to prepare for 3C of global](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/16/europe-climate-advisory-board-3c-global-heating) heating and described current efforts as “insufficient, largely incremental [and] often coming too late”.

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