China: Rare Pre-Dawn Hailstorm Startles Residents in Kunming

On March 6, 2026, an unusual pre-dawn hailstorm struck Kunming, Yunnan, jolting residents awake with a sudden roar. Countless ice pellets hammered the ground and rooftops, their sharp clatter echoing through the silent early morning streets. The storm lasted roughly 20 minutes, blanketing surfaces in white.

Spain: Storm Regina Brings Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms to Andalusia

Storm Regina brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to Andalusia on Wednesday, March 4. Severe weather is expected to continue over the next few days, with gusty winds also forecast. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued yellow weather alerts for the weekend in several regions, including Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha, among others.

Argentina: Flash Flooding Paralyzes Buenos Aires After Intense Storm

A sudden and violent storm struck Buenos Aires and the surrounding metropolitan area on Tuesday afternoon, December 23, triggering severe flash flooding after a day of extreme heat. Up to 80 millimeters of rain fell in under an hour in some areas, submerging cars, flooding streets, and paralyzing major routes including the Pan-American Highway and General Paz Avenue. At least 30 people were rescued from trapped vehicles, while emergency services received hundreds of calls. The Unicenter shopping mall in Martínez was evacuated as images of the flooding spread rapidly on social media.

Argentina: Flash Flooding Paralyzes Buenos Aires After Intense Storm 2

A sudden and violent storm struck Buenos Aires and the surrounding metropolitan area on Tuesday afternoon, December 23, triggering severe flash flooding after a day of extreme heat. Up to 80 millimeters of rain fell in under an hour in some areas, submerging cars, flooding streets, and paralyzing major routes including the Pan-American Highway and General Paz Avenue. At least 30 people were rescued from trapped vehicles, while emergency services received hundreds of calls. The Unicenter shopping mall in Martínez was evacuated as images of the flooding spread rapidly on social media.

China: Beijing Go-Kart Track Hit by Sudden Hailstorm

On September 13, 2025, in Beijing, China, a man was driving a go-kart when a sudden hailstorm hit. The track was quickly covered with icy pellets, making it slippery and reducing visibility. The man struggled to control the kart but managed to steer carefully until the hail eased.

Italy: Torrential Rains Turn Alcamo Streets Into Rivers

A violent storm struck Alcamo, in the Trapani area, on Wednesday night, September 10, dropping about 35 mm of rain in just a few hours. The sudden downpour overwhelmed the drainage system and turned streets into raging rivers. Floodwaters inundated garages and basements and swept away several cars, leaving residents shaken after a night of fear.

China: Power Grid Workers Engulfed by Sudden Sandstorm in Sichuan

A dramatic video shows Chinese power grid workers caught in a sudden sandstorm on August 16, 2025, in Goudun Township, Liangshan, Sichuan. As they repaired electrical equipment, clouds of sand and dust reduced visibility, forcing the team to shield themselves while braving the storm.

US: Downpour Hits Castleberry, AL

On Wednesday, August 20, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center issued a Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe weather for much of Alabama. In Castleberry, a sudden downpour occurred in the afternoon, but it lasted for only about 10 minutes.

China: Sudden Whirlwind Rips Through Night Stall in Nanning, Guangxi

A sudden whirlwind ripped through a barbecue stall in Nanning, Guangxi, on August 17. The violent wind sent tables, chairs, and the entire canopy flying while panicked residents scrambled to escape.

China: Massive Rainfall Submerges Beach in Beihai, Guangxi

On July 15, 2025, a sudden downpour in Beihai, Guangxi, southern China, sent beachgoers fleeing as floodwaters rapidly submerged the shore. Video footage showed dozens running inland, abandoning umbrellas and beach gear, as torrential rain overtook the beach. A red alert for heavy rain had been issued just before the storm hit, and by the end, the beach was fully underwater.

US: Massive Shelf Cloud Caught on Time-Lapse Video Over Orland Park, Illinois

Severe thunderstorms swept through Chicago on Wednesday, July 16, bringing wind gusts up to 67 mph. The storm caused damage, including downed trees, power outages, and flight disruptions. This video captures a massive shelf cloud looming over the sky in Orland Park.

China: Localized Storm Splits Street in Half With Rain on One Side, Dry on the Other

This is the striking moment that a sudden localized storm turned one street into two distinct weathers, one side was drenched by heavy rain, while the other side remained completely dry. On June 12, 2025, in Shanxi, Taiyuan, the video captured one half of a street was swept by torrential rain, while the opposite side stayed untouched. The pedestrians and quick-moving cars seeking shelter on the rainy side, umbrellas opened hastily. The juxtaposition was startling, raindrops visibly stopped at an invisible boundary, creating two contrasting microclimates within mere meters of each other. The video ended with the camera panning across the street, capturing the stark contrast one last time before the rain slowly faded away.

Egypt: Severe Storm Lashes Alexandria, State of Emergency Declared 2

A violent storm struck Alexandria overnight on Friday night, May 30 to Saturday, May 31, forcing local authorities to declare a state of emergency. Its sudden onset caught residents off guard, unleashing intense weather changes that included heavy rain, hail, lightning, and strong winds.

Egypt: Severe Storm Lashes Alexandria, State of Emergency Declared

A violent storm struck Alexandria overnight on Friday night, May 30 to Saturday, May 31, forcing local authorities to declare a state of emergency. Its sudden onset caught residents off guard, unleashing intense weather changes that included heavy rain, hail, lightning, and strong winds.

China: Dust Devil Spins Through Mount Wutai Scenic Area

On May 5, 2025, a dust devil rapidly formed and dissipated within seconds in the Mount Wutai scenic area of Shanxi. The swirling vortex moved swiftly across a path, creating a dramatic contrast against the otherwise calm, mountainous surroundings. According to local meteorological authorities, the dust devil was caused by intense localized surface heating, which triggered the rapid upward movement of warm air.

China: Powerful Winds Batter Xi’an as Sudden Storm Strikes

This is the shocking moment that a violent storm struck Xi’an, unleashing heavy rain, gale-force winds, and hail that turned the cityscape into a scene of chaos. On May 8, 2025, in Xi’an’s Xianyang area, the video showed torrential rain pounding the streets while trees swayed violently under gale-force winds. Hailstones bounced off surfaces as visibility dropped rapidly, making the afternoon appear like night. The suddenness and intensity of the storm left onlookers visibly shaken. The video ended with rainwater flooding the streets and the storm continuing to rage, as people sheltered under overhangs and building entrances.

US: Lake-Effect Snow Prompts State Of Emergency Declarations In Northeast Ohio

Lake-effect snow buried northern parts of the U.S. over the weekend, bringing below-freezing temperatures. Much of Ohio experienced several inches of snowfall, leading to snow warnings across the region. Following a severe winter storm on Sunday, December 1, a state of emergency was declared in several northeastern counties.

China: Sudden High Waves Topple Tourists In Qingdao

On August 27, 2024, visitors to the Badaxia Residential District in Qingdao, Shandong Province, eastern China, experienced a dramatic turn of events as sudden high waves knocked down several people. The weather was overcast and gloomy, and the sea suddenly became rough, and the tide came in quickly. As the fierce waves surged, tourists at the shore rushed to safety.

China: Electric Tricycle Pushed By Winds, Runs Off On Its Own During Rainstorm

On August 7, 2024, a comical scene was captured in Xian, Shaanxi Province, central China, when a sudden rainstorm descended. Amidst a cloudy backdrop, heavy rain hits the ground and splashes a dense mist of water, while a gusty wind blows the trees along the roadside to one side. During the storm, a tricycle parked outside the house of the filmer's grandfather appears abruptly in the video frame, driven by the wind and rain to slink down the slope and complete a comical escape by itself.

US: Derecho Pummels Kansas With Damaging Winds And Hail 3

Powerful storms blasted Kansas on Sunday, May 19, bringing damaging winds, large hail, and possible tornadoes. A derecho produced the storms that prompted tornado, severe thunderstorm, and flash flood warnings and left a trail of damage such as downed trees, blocked roads and widespread power outages in parts of the state. This video shows a huge shelf cloud approaching Dickinson County.

US: Derecho Pummels Kansas With Damaging Winds And Hail 4

Powerful storms blasted Kansas on Sunday, May 19, bringing damaging winds, large hail, and possible tornadoes. A derecho produced the storms that prompted tornado, severe thunderstorm, and flash flood warnings and left a trail of damage such as downed trees, blocked roads and widespread power outages in parts of the state. This dashcam video shows a huge shelf cloud approaching Dickinson County.

China: Sudden Severe Hailstorm Batters Huainan, Anhui

A sudden and severe hailstorm battered Huainan, Anhui on February 18. It arrived with gusty wind and caught local residents off guard.

11 injured after powerful storm smashes airport glass wall in S. Yemen

STORY: 11 injured after powerful storm smashes airport glass wall in S. Yemen DATELINE: July 25, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:56 LOCATION: ADEN, Yemen CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. a surveillance footage of the Aden International Airport under the storm's attack 2. various of the Aden International Airport under the storm's attack STORYLINE: At least 11 people were injured as a powerful storm, accompanied by heavy rains and strong winds, struck Yemen's southern port city of Aden early Monday. The sudden storm caused a glass facade to collapse in the departure hall of Aden International Airport, injuring at least 11 passengers, including children, a local medical official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, the official added. The airport's facilities and several vehicles parked in the vicinity were also damaged, said another official. The storm raged on in residential areas, causing damage to numerous old houses throughout Aden, he said,

Dust storm sweeps eastern Mongolia

STORY: Dust storm sweeps eastern Mongolia DATELINE: April 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:05 LOCATION: Ulan Bator CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of dust storm hitting eastern part of Mongolia STORYLINE: A strong dust storm hit the eastern part of Mongolia on Thursday, causing poor road visibility. The wind speed is reaching up to 24 meters per second in the eastern provinces of Sukhbaatar, Khentii and Dornod, the country's meteorology and environmental monitoring agency said in a statement. In addition, the central part of the country, including the national capital Ulan Bator is now seeing strong winds, snow storms and a sudden air temperature drop, it said. The inclement weather is expected to continue across large parts of the country in the coming days, it said, urging the public, especially nomadic herders and drivers, to take extra precautions against possible disasters. Mongolia has a harsh continental climate as strong winds, snow and dust storms are common during spring. Cli

'Guerrilla heavy rain' replicated indoors

'Guerrilla heavy rain' replicated indoors

TSUKUBA, Japan - National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention replicates a sudden violent rain storm at its experiment facility in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, on June 24, 2014.