Extremely rare tornado hits Trieste as historic supercell barells through the North Adriatic Sea

An intense supercell storm barrelled through the North Adriatic Sea on Monday, December 7, 2020, generating a rare tornado that hit the city of Trieste in Italy, and damaging hail across the Slovenian coast.

A historic supercell storm produced a rare tornado that struck the Italian city of Trieste on Monday, December 7.

"Call it rare, historic, or whatever possible, [but] the event is extremely rare," SWE wrote.

"Let us repeat, it is December 7^th, a winter month, and the Adriatic Sea and the city of Trieste are located in central Europe. And the area experienced an intense supercell and a tornado."

"This was a very rare and probably a historic event for the region. To receive a supercell storm during the winter month of December is very uncommon for this part of Europe. And to top this, the storm also developed a tornado that rolled into the city of Trieste."

The storm system also brought damaging hail and winds across the Slovenian coast. The areas reportedly affected were Piran, Sečovlje, Portorož, Lucija, and Izola, the worst-hit, as the city was engulfed in ice.

In Oktobrska Street, strong winds knocked down a tree, which collapsed on a parking canopy. Initial reports said at least three vehicles were damaged.

"The supercell storm was associated with frequent lightning strikes, even with a lightning barrage at times," said SWE, which created "a remarkable scene over the Gulf of Trieste and the Slovenian coast."

Featured image credit: Pupia News/YouTube