Lithuania records an unusually stormy start to autumn, with about 6,700 lightning strikes

Lithuania began autumn with an unusually violent thunderstorm. About 6,700 lightning discharges were recorded on Sept. 1, according to data published by meteo.lt.

Meteorologist Gytis Valaika said that, since automated lightning monitoring began in mid-2011, Lithuania had not recorded such a stormy first day of autumn. The total was more than twice the average of about 3,000 lightning discharges recorded during September between 2011 and 2025.

Summer had produced relatively few thunderstorms. The only day this year with more lightning was July 13, when about 9,600 discharges were recorded. Valaika noted that exceptionally unsettled days in August 2023 produced between 15,000 and 25,000 strikes, but described those events as highly unusual.

The weather service forecast showers and possible thunderstorms overnight Thursday, followed by rain in many areas during the day, locally heavy. More showers, strong winds and thunderstorms were expected on Friday and Saturday, with daytime temperatures ranging from 15 to 23 degrees Celsius.

“

Since that period, it can be said that we have not had such a stormy Sept. 1.