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On Tuesday afternoon, several Cuban provinces were affected by severe local storms that included hail, strong winds, intense rains, and significant electrical activity, according to reports from experts, local media, and residents.
According to the meteorologist Raydel Ruisanchez, atmospheric phenomena were recorded in locations in Pinar del Río, Jaruco (Mayabeque), Bauta (Artemisa), Unión de Reyes (Matanzas), and Villa Clara.
Wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h in Unión de Reyes
One of the most significant events occurred in the municipality of Unión de Reyes, Matanzas, where linear winds of over 90 kilometers per hour were reported between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., according to the Provincial Meteorological Center.
Meteorologist Luis Enrique Álvarez Almenares specified that the winds were associated with thunderstorms that struck the area, causing material damage, including the loss of the roof of the Juan Gualberto Gómez pharmacy, as well as fallen trees and damage to other roofs.
The weather station in Unión de Reyes reported 30.4 millimeters of rainfall in just 22 minutes, confirming the intensity of the event.
According to journalist Roxana Valdés from Radio Unión, the weather event also caused significant damage to the judo gym of INDER, which completely lost its roof and suffered damage to the training mat.
The massive hailstorm also impacted the town of Juan Pedro Carbó, in the municipality of Placetas, Villa Clara, causing damage to roofs of homes, covered houses, and falling trees, as well as power outages.
A severe storm caused by a trough
Meteorologist Raúl Hernández Soriano explained that it was a severe local storm, as winds exceeded 90 km/h, even in the absence of confirmed tornadoes or hail in some areas.
The specialist indicated that the phenomenon was caused by a trough in the mid and lower levels of the atmosphere, located in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, which moved across western Cuba. These disturbances, also known as short waves, are common at the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
The trough will continue to move on Wednesday toward the central provinces of the country, leading to an expected increase in rain and thunderstorms in municipalities such as Martí, Los Arabos, and the Ciénaga de Zapata, Hernández Soriano added.
Similar phenomena in previous years
Several users on social media recalled that around the same time last year, similar phenomena occurred.
A mother recalled a hailstorm that occurred on March 22 in San Miguel del Padrón, Havana, where the winds destroyed the roof of her home while she was alone with her three children.
"I don't even want to think about that. Last year around this same time, there was a hailstorm with strong winds, and I was home alone with three children. We lost the roof and everything; it was horrible. Thank God we're alive," the woman recounted.
Due to the persistence of unstable conditions in the atmosphere, meteorological authorities advise the public to stay informed through official channels and to take precautions in case of thunderstorms, hailstorms, or gusts of wind in the coming hours.
Frequently Asked Questions about Severe Local Storms in Cuba
Which Cuban provinces were affected by severe local storms?
The provinces affected by the severe local storms were Pinar del Río, Mayabeque, Artemisa, Matanzas, and Villa Clara. These storms included phenomena such as hail, strong winds, and heavy rainfall, causing various material damages.
What material damages did the storms cause in Matanzas?
In the municipality of Unión de Reyes, Matanzas, the storms caused the roof of a pharmacy and the INDER judo gym to collapse, as well as the fall of trees. The straight-line winds reached over 90 km/h, resulting in significant damage to various structures.
What weather phenomenon caused the severe local storms in Cuba?
The phenomenon was caused by a trough in the mid and lower levels of the atmosphere that moved from the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico towards western Cuba. This type of disturbance is common at the end of winter and the beginning of spring in the region.
What is the weather forecast for the coming days in Cuba?
An increase in rainfall and thunderstorms is expected in the central provinces, particularly in municipalities such as Martí, Los Arabos, and the Zapata Swamp, as the trough continues to move eastward.
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