Storm Ciaran, which hit Brittany, caused record-breaking winds and significant damage in the Finistère and Côtes d'Armor regions. The storm resulted in fallen trees blocking roads, roofs of buildings being blown off, power outages, and flooding. Transportation was disrupted, and emergency services received numerous calls for assistance [87735c58]. In the Basque Country, the Corniche road has been closed due to a storm, leading to erosion of the cliffs [549e4926]. These incidents highlight the destructive power of storms and the need for preparedness and safety measures.
The coastal defenses of Russian-occupied Crimea have been severely damaged by a powerful storm named Bettina. The storm brought hurricane-force winds and waves up to 10 meters high, causing significant destruction to the Russian military positions. The storm also affected the Crimean Bridge, a vital link between mainland Russia and the peninsula. Ukrainian intelligence officials have suggested that the damage caused by the storm could benefit Ukraine in its conflict with Russia [83b0b93b].
A spring snowstorm brought rain and snow to Northern California, causing chain controls on mountain highways. Downtown Sacramento received over .67 inches of rain, while Stockton had .48 inches and Modesto .77 inches. The storm also caused lightning strikes, one of which caused a mobile home explosion in Placer County. The storm led to road closures and spinouts on I-80 and Highway 50, with chain controls in effect. The National Weather Service warned of 30 mph winds and hail in parts of the region. Scattered snow showers are expected to continue in the Sierra. Temperatures in the Sacramento area are expected to rise by more than 20 degrees next week [b6ff6deb].
On Saturday night, police in Helsinki had to intervene in several cases of disorderly behavior during graduation parties at Kaivopuisto Park. Several fights broke out and fireworks were set off, leading to the park being cleared for public order and safety reasons. Police confiscated knives and intoxicants, but there were no serious incidents. In Oulu, police also dealt with rowdiness, fights, and drunk drivers, but most of the partiers were well-behaved [84034c35].
Thunderstorms disrupted rail service in Western Uusimaa, with electrical track damage caused by lightning. Train service between Inkoo and Salo was suspended, and passenger trains between Helsinki and Kupittaa were replaced by buses. Forest fires were extinguished in Taivalkoski after burning about one and a half hectares of woodland. Lightning strikes also caused fires and power outages in Southwest Finland, Pirkanmaa, and North Karelia. In Seinäjoki, a violent thunderstorm caused flooding and damage, leading to the cancellation of the YleXPop music festival and extensive flooding in the underground facilities of Seinäjoki Central Hospital. The Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued warnings of heavy downpours, local flooding, and forest fire risk in many areas of Finland [84034c35].
A meteotsunami, a large wave driven by air-pressure disturbances associated with fast-moving weather events, hit the shores of Lake Michigan. Meteotsunamis are different from regular tsunamis triggered by seismic activities and typically pack waves of roughly 6 feet or less. In 2018, a meteotsunami on Lake Michigan caused an 8-foot water level change and damage in Michigan cities. On Tuesday, a meteotsunami measuring 1 to 2 feet hit the south end of Lake Michigan. Meteotsunamis have been observed in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Coast, and the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. About 100 meteotsunamis occur in the region every year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that it is difficult to distinguish a meteotsunami from a seismic tsunami, as the characteristics are almost indistinguishable. The recent meteotsunami on Lake Michigan was caused by passing storms with damaging winds and hail, according to the National Weather Service's Grand Rapids station [c11c6186].
These incidents in Finland demonstrate the impact of severe weather events, including lightning damage, flooding, and disruptions to transportation and public events. It underscores the importance of preparedness and safety measures in mitigating the effects of storms and ensuring public safety [84034c35].