Full Breakdown
Severe Thunderstorms and Hailstorms Impact North Africa and the Mediterranean
4/17/2026, 12:24:31 PM
Overview of the Severe Weather Events
This week, severe thunderstorms have significantly impacted the Mediterranean region, particularly Algeria and Tunisia. The storms were triggered by a surface low-pressure system in the Mediterranean, combined with an upper air cut-off low, which created conditions conducive to intense thunderstorms. These storms resulted in notable hail accumulations, with reports of hail layers covering the ground like snow.
Hail Accumulation in North Africa
In Algeria, hail accumulations reached up to 3 centimeters in thickness in areas such as Oum Ladjoul and Hammam Sokhna. Similarly, in Tunisia, hailstones measuring up to 3 centimeters in diameter were reported in Makthar, with further accumulations of about 2 centimeters in Ouled Bousmir. The thunderstorms persisted into the following day, continuing to affect both countries.
Impact on Italy
Later in the week, another surface low developed over Sicily, leading to thunderstorms across parts of central Italy. These storms resulted in severe downpours, with Ascoli Piceno experiencing 52.1 centimeters of rain in just over an hour and 10 minutes, and Mosciano Sant’Angelo recording 62.3 millimeters in less than two hours. Other regions, including Bagheria in Sicily, also reported heavy rainfall.
Severe Weather in the United States
In addition to the Mediterranean storms, severe weather was reported in the northeastern United States. A supercell affected Dane County, Wisconsin, leading to a tornado warning, although there were no confirmed reports of a tornado touching down. The supercell produced baseball-sized hailstones, measuring around 7 centimeters in diameter, which were significantly larger than those reported in Tunisia. The storm system continued to spread into Ohio, with reports of even larger hail, including softball-sized stones near Kansas City, measuring up to 11.5 centimeters in diameter.
Tornado Activity in the U.S.
This week also saw approximately 20 tornadoes across the United States, primarily affecting Wisconsin, Kansas, Iowa, and Minnesota. These tornadoes contributed to the severe weather outbreak, highlighting the widespread impact of the storm systems across different regions.
Conclusion
The severe thunderstorms and hailstorms affecting North Africa and the Mediterranean, along with significant weather events in the United States, underscore the volatility of weather patterns in these regions. The combination of intense storms and hail accumulation has led to notable impacts on local communities, with ongoing monitoring necessary as weather conditions continue to evolve.
