Severe hailstorm with tennis ball-sized hail causes widespread damage in Gorička, Slovenia
A powerful storm with tennis ball-sized hail struck Slovenia’s Gorička region, damaging homes, vehicles, and crops on June 3, 2025. The storm hit hardest in Gornje Petrovci, Šalovci, and Hodoš.
A severe supercell swept through Slovenia’s Gorička region, producing hailstones over 7 cm (2.8 inches) in diameter, particularly in Gornje Petrovci on June 3. Nearly every roof in the affected areas was damaged, and several cars were damaged. The Šalovci Primary School reported broken skylights in its gymnasium.
Orchards and agricultural fields in Šalovci, Gornje Petrovci, and Hodoš suffered significant damage from the hailstorm, which struck just before 14:00 LT on June 3. Local authorities, including the mayor of Šalovci, began cleanup efforts and sought assistance from local entrepreneurs. In Gornje Petrovci, civil protection teams are assessing the affected areas.
SD MP Damijan Zrim urged the government to declare a natural disaster in Gorička due to the extensive damage. He called for immediate financial aid for households, compensation for agricultural losses, and support for infrastructure repairs.
I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.
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