Severe weather has hit several regions of Ukraine
Severe weather has hit several regions of Ukraine at once. In Ternopil and Khmelnytskyi, heavy downpours flooded the streets, while in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, hailstones the size of chicken eggs fell. Meteorologists warn that thunderstorms, squalls, and hail are also possible in other regions of the country in the near future.
On Sunday, July 19, severe weather struck western and parts of central Ukraine. Heavy rains, squalls, and large hailstones caused flooding of streets, homes, and businesses, and in some towns, the hailstones were the size of a chicken egg.
Ternopil was literally submerged
The situation was most severe in Ternopil. By evening, local Telegram channels had already begun posting footage of flooded streets. Due to the heavy downpour, the roads turned into veritable rivers. In some areas, the water was so powerful that it literally knocked people off their feet.
One of the most severely flooded streets was Halytska Street. There, cars were almost completely submerged in water, and the strong current even swept away a fence. Rescue workers and municipal services were called in to deal with the aftermath of the storm. Water was pumped out on Hayova Bichna, Mykulynetska, Stadnikova, Konovaltsia, and Obolonya Streets.
Khmelnytskyi Was Also Under Water
The situation was no less dire in Khmelnytskyi. After a heavy downpour, roads, sidewalks, and courtyards were flooded. Water even seeped into the “Epicenter” home improvement and hardware store, where streams flowed right through the sales floors.
On Myru Avenue, rainwater entered a nine-story building. “All the way up to the fourth floor,” reported the authors of a local Telegram channel. Due to the flooding, traffic was disrupted in certain areas of the city.
Hail the size of a chicken egg fell in the Carpathian region
Severe weather also affected the Ivano-Frankivsk region. Very large hailstones fell in the village of Zhuraky in the Bohorodchany community and in the town of Solotvyno. Local residents shared photos of hailstones that were about the size of a chicken egg.
Hail of this size can cause significant damage to cars, rooftops, vegetable gardens, and orchards.
The Vinnytsia region was also affected
The storm did not spare the Vinnytsia region either. The village of Viitivtsi also experienced a severe hailstorm.
In Vinnytsia itself, the roads were quickly flooded due to the downpour. Eyewitnesses filmed videos showing manhole covers “popping open” due to water pressure. Another unusual consequence of the storm was that the soccer field at the “Naberezhny Kvartal” residential complex was completely flooded. It looked more like a swimming pool than a sports field.
Forecasters warn of new thunderstorms
According to the forecast from the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, unstable weather will continue on July 20. Thunderstorms are expected across nearly the entire country, with the exception of the eastern, southeastern, and most western regions.
In the northern, central, Odesa, and Mykolaiv regions, strong gusts of wind at speeds of 15–20 meters per second, as well as hail, are possible. Meteorologists have issued a Level I hazard warning—yellow. Experts warn that such weather may disrupt traffic and affect the operations of utility, energy, and construction services. Residents are urged to exercise caution, avoid parking cars under trees, and, if possible, stay indoors during thunderstorms.
