Mega hailstorms terrorize Italy amid summer heatwave

Italy is grappling with an unprecedented wave of "mega hailstorms" this summer, a phenomenon scientists attribute to climate change. The extreme weather events, characterized by hailstones the size of oranges and weighing up to 200 grams, have caused widespread damage and terrorized residents.

Record numbers of hailstorms have been recorded in 2026, with a 51% increase in cases during the first six months compared to the 2020-2025 average. Specialized databases show 2,310 severe events, representing 7.7% of the total, according to Corriere della Sera.

These violent storms are fueled by the African anticyclone, which raises Mediterranean temperatures to around 30-32 degrees Celsius. This warm, humid air then clashes with cold air masses at high altitudes, creating supercell thunderstorms. "With more energy available in the last ten years, the average diameter of hail has doubled: it used to be 3-4 centimeters and now it is 7-8," explained climatologist Massimiliano Fazzini.

The consequences have been severe. Beyond broken windshields and minor injuries, agriculture has suffered immense losses. A recent brutal storm in Milan forced the suspension of a Bad Bunny concert, sending over 70,000 fans scrambling for shelter as golf ball-sized ice stones rained down. Six people were hospitalized with head injuries.

While severe episodes have occurred across the country, the northern regions, particularly the Po Valley and Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, and Friuli-Venecia Julia, are most affected. "The plain heats up a lot, the north of the Adriatic Sea also reaches very high temperatures, and the Alps are nearby," Fazzini noted. Another recent storm near Ferrara caused panic, shattering windows, damaging roofs and solar panels, and forcing the closure of the A13 highway.

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With more energy available in the last ten years the diameter average of the hail has doubled: it used to be of 3–4 centimeters and now it is of 7–8.