Severe Storms hit Western and Central Europe: Reports from France, Germany, Benelux

Marek Kučera June 1, 2025 2 min read

In the past 24 hours, Western and Central Europe, particularly France, Germany, and the Benelux countries, have experienced significant severe weather events. These storms have manifested in various forms, including large hail, severe winds, and heavy rainfall, leading to notable impacts on infrastructure, agriculture, and daily life.

France

In France, several regions have reported severe weather incidents:

Vic-sur-Aisne, Picardie: On May 31, 2025, at 22:15 UTC, large hailstones up to 3 cm in diameter were observed. The event was confirmed by a reliable source and was associated with a thunderstorm system that passed through the area.
Jaulzy, Picardie: Shortly before the Vic-sur-Aisne event, at 22:10 UTC, another large hail event occurred with similar hailstone sizes. This event was also confirmed by a reliable source and was part of the same convective system.
Pontarlier, Franche-Comté: On May 31, 2025, at 14:00 UTC, severe winds were reported. The event was confirmed by a reliable source and was associated with a cold front moving through the region.

These events highlight the dynamic nature of the weather systems affecting France, with multiple severe weather phenomena occurring in close succession.

Germany

Germany has also been impacted by severe weather:

Keldenich, Nordrhein-Westfalen: On May 31, 2025, at 12:59 UTC, severe winds were reported. The event was confirmed by a trained storm spotter and was associated with a convective system moving through the region.
Hersel, Nordrhein-Westfalen: On the same day at 12:58 UTC, large hailstones were observed. The event was confirmed by a trained storm spotter and was part of the same convective system affecting Keldenich.

These reports underscore the widespread nature of the severe weather affecting Germany, with multiple regions experiencing significant weather events.

Benelux

The Benelux countries have not been immune to these severe weather conditions:

Meerlo, Limburg, Netherlands: On May 31, 2025, at 19:02 UTC, large hailstones up to 3 cm in diameter were reported. The event was confirmed by a photo or video of the event and was associated with a thunderstorm system moving through the region.
Venlo, Limburg, Netherlands: Earlier the same day at 17:00 UTC, another large hail event occurred with similar hailstone sizes. This event was confirmed by a photo or video of the event and was part of the same convective system.