Europe Ravaged by Violent Storms Following Unprecedented Heatwave

Violent storms, including tornadoes and hail the size of cantaloupes, have swept through Europe, causing significant damage. The storms were fueled by a record-hot air mass and a pocket of high-altitude cold air, resulting in intense thunderstorms and the production of giant hailstones. Winds reached hurricane strength, and a hailstone recovered in Italy may be the largest ever observed in Europe. The storms are expected to continue moving eastward into Eastern Europe and Russia.