Weather tracker: France reels from deadly thunderstorms and lightning
The GuardianMonday, June 16, 2025 at 11:51:16 AM
France was hit by violent thunderstorms last Friday, leaving one dead and another injured. The storms, fueled by a mix of a "cold drop," an upper-air trough, and a heat dome, unleashed massive hailstones (up to 85mm) and over 30,000 lightning strikes. Two separate weather systems triggered orange warnings—one sweeping in from Brittany to the north, the other from Spain into the southwest.
Editor’s Note: Severe weather isn’t just about rain or wind—this storm was a chaotic cocktail of atmospheric conditions that turned deadly. With climate change intensifying extreme events, understanding these systems isn’t just for meteorologists; it’s about being prepared for the next time nature throws something unexpected our way. France’s ordeal is a reminder of how quickly things can turn dangerous.
— Curated via WP Now’s
