Lightning Kills Man in Slovenia as New Storm Approaches

A powerful storm swept across Slovenia on Thursday evening, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming one life. Emergency services were stretched thin, responding to 51 incidents throughout the night, primarily due to heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning strikes. The most tragic event occurred in the municipality of Žalec, where a lightning strike near a small tree killed a 46-year-old man and injured another. The surviving man was taken to Celje hospital with minor injuries.

Throughout the country, the storm caused significant disruption. In Ljubljana, two underpasses flooded, while in Solčava, a lightning strike reportedly sparked a fire in an economic building. In Žalec, an electrical cabinet caught fire after a lightning strike, and strong winds in Gorenja vas tore parts of two roofs off. A fallen spruce tree damaged a parked car, and rainwater flooded a multipurpose facility.

The Ljubljana regional center saw the highest number of interventions with 28, followed by Celje with 13, Kranj with seven, Trbovlje with two, and Koper with one. Meteorologists noted that while some areas received up to 20 millimeters of rain, the precipitation eased the fire risk in Primorska after a dry spell.

However, the respite is expected to be short-lived. Forecasters warn that Slovenia remains under the influence of moist air, with new storm systems developing over Western Europe. Another, more intense storm line is predicted to hit the country from the west on Friday afternoon, bringing prolonged downpours, strong gusts of wind, and potentially hail. Meteorologists advise closely monitoring the radar for precipitation, especially in the interior of the country.

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Today will be quite turbulent, especially in the afternoon, it will be necessary to follow the precipitation radar image.