Intense hailstorm with giant hail hits Fujian, China
A severe hailstorm battered Zhangpu, Fujian Province, on March 2–3, 2025, unleashing hailstones reportedly as large as 14 cm (5.5 inches) in diameter. If confirmed by the China Meteorological Administration, this could rank among the largest hailstones ever recorded in China.
Giant hailstone in Fujian, China - March 3, 2025. Image credit: Eric Wang
Reports from local residents indicate hailstones reached sizes potentially as large as 14 cm (5.5 inches) in diameter during the storm’s peak late on March 2 into early March 3, though official measurements from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) are pending confirmation. If confirmed, it would rank among China’s largest recorded hailstones.
While exact damage assessments are not yet available, the storm’s intensity suggests potential impacts on buildings, crops, and infrastructure, consistent with historical hail events in the region, such as the 2010 Fujian storm that damaged 99 300 structures.
Many other places in Fujian and Jiangxi were hit by strong winds and hail on March 3, while light to moderate snow or sleet was reported in western Inner Mongolia, northern and central Shaanxi, Henan, central and southern Shandong, northern Hubei, northern Anhui, and northern Jiangsu.
Eastern Guizhou, most of Hunan, most of Jiangxi, central Zhejiang, western Fujian, northern Guangdong, and northern Guangxi experienced cooling on the morning of March 4, with temperatures dropping between 6–12°C (10.8–21.6°F). In some places, the decline exceeded 14°C (25.2°F).
Temperatures will continue to fall in southern Jiangnan, southern China, and surrounding areas, with expected decreases of 4–6°C (7.2–10.8°F) as the cold wave exits towards the sea. Some locations in southern Jiangxi, southwestern Fujian, and northeastern Guangdong may experience temperature drops exceeding 8°C (14.4°F).
References:
1 Important Weather Tips – CMA – February 27, 2025
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
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