Paris hit by massive hail

Photo:Depositphotos

Warnings of weekend storms across Europe came true when a storm swept through Paris on Saturday pelting the metropolis with hail and forcing residents and tourists to seek shelter. At the time there were numerous warnings from meteorologists. Large hailstones crushed spring flowers and broke many windows.

Meteorologists agree that the severe storms are the result of an unusually early and intense heat wave that hit much of Europe over the weekend. Weekend temperatures climbed above 27 degrees Celsius in many places. In Central Europe, temperature records for this period were also broken.

The hailstorm in Paris and numerous storms are the result of a low-pressure system moving across Portugal and France. An orange alert has been issued for some French regions. The alert warns of dangerous weather conditions that include hail, damaging winds and heat waves.

The stormy weather also affected operations at Charles de Gaulle Airport, one of the busiest in Europe. Some metro lines had to be closed due to local flooding. Heavy hail, especially in the spring, is not uncommon in Europe as air mass collisions during spring and summer lead to instability.

Strong updrafts keep raindrops aloft long enough for the water to freeze, forming large hailstones. Larger hailstones tend to cause the most damage to vehicles, roofs, and windows.

In 2022 alone, hailstorms in France caused $5 billion in damage. One of the most severe hailstorms even damaged over a thousand cars and 250 houses.

Source:FoxNews