Stormy weather: heavy rains in Kharkiv, wind troubles in the northeast

Heavy rainfall and strong winds caused disruptions across parts of Slovenia on Thursday, with thick hail recorded in Kotli and severe weather affecting areas in the northeast. According to reports from the Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for the Environment (Arso), intense thunderstorms developed over the Gorenjska region near the Karavanks and on the Koroska, leading to localized flooding and damage. The storm system was moving slowly toward the Savinja and Podravina regions, while a stronger storm approached Prekmurje. Meanwhile, wind-related issues were reported in the northeastern part of the country, particularly in the Pomurje region. The weather service noted that heavy rainfalls began in the afternoon, with strong thunderstorms accompanied by hail. At the meteorological station Mežica, 47 millimeters of precipitation were recorded between 16:10 and 17:20. The activity is expected to gradually subside in the coming hours. However, the storms have already caused several problems, including road closures and minor flooding. In Kotli, residents reported thick hailfall, some measuring up to five centimeters in diameter. Similar conditions were observed in Sela near Slovenj Gradac. In the village of Vrata within the municipality of Dravograd, a stream overflowed and threatened a residential building. Firefighters from the Dravograd Fire Department placed barriers and removed fallen trees to clear the waterway, allowing the stream to flow freely again. Reports of similar incidents came from Prevalj and Slovenj Gradac. On the Koroška, roads in Ravnah were flooded due to heavy rains. The weather also caused difficulties in the northern-eastern part of the country, especially in the Pomurje region, where multiple incidents were reported. Data from the Slovenian Rescue and Protection Authority showed 13 incident reports in the Pomurje area, involving seven different volunteer fire brigades. These included locations such as Cankove, Puconcev, Tišine, Rogašovcev, Moravskih Toplic, Murska Sobota, and Gornje Radgone. Strong winds contributed to the challenges, with reports of gusts from the villages of Sveti Trog in the Slovenian Alps, Sveti Ana, Rogašovce, Cankove, Gornje Radgone, and Tišine. Arso had issued an orange warning for the entire country, excluding the south-western region, due to the potential for local floods, hail, and strong wind gusts. This warning was in addition to another orange alert related to wildfire risks. The government urged citizens to remain indoors and monitor weather alerts through social media channels. A tweet from the Slovenian Government advised people to stay safe inside and avoid unnecessary travel during the stormy weather. Meanwhile, the traffic information center called for cautious driving, advising drivers to adjust their speed, increase safety distances, and avoid stopping under bridges or in tunnels. A separate message from the traffic authority warned of possible local flooding, strong winds, and heavy rainfalls in the late afternoon, urging drivers to exercise caution and maintain safe distances. As evening approached, the storm activity was expected to ease gradually. Officials indicated that similar conditions might return on Wednesday afternoon and evening, though specific details remained pending further updates. The situation continues to evolve, with ongoing monitoring and response efforts underway across affected regions.