Lithuania battered by powerful storm; thousands left without electricity

Lithuania was hit by a powerful storm on Monday, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds that left thousands of residents without electricity and caused damage across the country. Social media users shared dramatic images of dark storm clouds and hail-covered yards.

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There was not only very warm weather, but also rain with thunderstorms. It rained heavily in some places, intense thunderstorms were recorded, and hail fell.

According to the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service, many regions experienced intense rainfall with thunderstorms. Wind gusts reached 15-20 m/s, with the strongest gust recorded at 29 m/s in the Eišiškės area of Šalčininkai district around 7:40 p.m. Meteorologist Gytis Valaika confirmed that the forecasts were accurate, noting the combination of heat, rain, thunderstorms, and hail.

The storm's effects were widespread. In Kaunas district, drivers encountered severe downpours, while strong winds in Aleksotas broke tree branches and uprooted mature trees near the Botanical Garden. This led to power outages for some residents in Kaunas city and district. In Kazlų Rūda municipality, a strong wind damaged a fence, and in Alytus district, hailstones briefly covered the ground. Residents in Vilnius district collected hail from their lawns after the downpour, while lightning illuminated the evening sky in Šiauliai and Šakiai districts.

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As expected for a full set of summer storms, squalls were recorded in some places, and hail also fell. It seems we avoided large hailstones, larger than 2 cm in diameter.

Power supply was significantly disrupted, with ESO reporting approximately 1,500 customers without electricity around 8:40 p.m., a number that was even higher earlier in the evening. While hail was reported in many areas, large hailstones exceeding 2 cm in diameter were avoided. Meteorologists warn that the storm is not over, with the western edge of a cyclone still affecting Lithuania, leading to further summer downpours. More rain and thunderstorms are expected on Tuesday, though likely less intense than on Monday, with temperatures ranging from 23-27 degrees Celsius. Drier weather is anticipated from Thursday onwards.

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In warm, unstable atmospheric conditions, front lines form – some are doused heavily and loudly, others are only scared from afar by dark clouds.