Lithuania records three tornadoes in rare severe weather event

Lithuania experienced three tornadoes on Friday evening, a phenomenon more commonly associated with the United States, according to reports by national broadcaster LRT and the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service.

Videos shared widely on social media captured tornadoes touching down in Kaunas, Ukmergė district, and Kazlų Rūda, with one filmed from the storm’s epicentre. Social media users described the scenes as “like in America,” highlighting the rarity of such events in the Baltic region.

The severe weather caused significant damage, including uprooted trees and a roof torn from a house in Kaunas. Firefighters responded 16 times to remove fallen trees blocking roads, though no reports were made of trees damaging homes, vehicles, or power lines. The storm also disrupted electricity supply for around 8,000 customers, according to the national grid operator.

Heavy rainfall accompanied the storms, with some areas receiving nearly two weeks’ worth of precipitation in under 24 hours. Pakruojis recorded 38.5 mm of rain (62% of June’s average), while Kaunas saw 36.9 mm (58% of the monthly norm). The Hydrometeorological Service reported 4,649 lightning strikes nationwide between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

Winds reached 15–16 m/s in places, with hail also observed. The agency noted that thunderstorms, heavy rain, and gusty winds persisted overnight, with temperatures ranging from 12–17°C.