Extreme hailstorm with 40 mm (1.57 inches) per hour rainfall hits China’s Gansu Province
An intense hailstorm struck Zhuoni County, Gansu Province, China, on September 16, 2025, bringing rainfall rates of 40 mm (1.57 inches) per hour at a temperature of 6°C (43°F). The storm produced significant hail accumulation on the ground.
Severe hailstorm hits China's Gansu Province on September 16, 2025. Credit: Yim Yang
A severe hailstorm impacted Zhuoni County in Gansu Province, China, on September 16. Local reports and video evidence indicate intense rainfall reaching 40 mm (1.57 inches) per hour, combined with a surface temperature of 6°C (43°F).
Large amounts of hail accumulated on the ground, covering roads, farmland, and residential areas.
Video footage shared on social media shows widespread ice cover and surface water runoff, consistent with rapid hail deposition and high-intensity precipitation.
As of this report, no official statements have been issued by the China Meteorological Administration or provincial authorities regarding damage or casualties. The storm appears to have been highly localized, though hail accumulation of this scale often disrupts transport, agriculture, and urban services.
Southern Gansu is vulnerable to convective weather during late summer and early autumn, when unstable atmospheric conditions can produce hailstorms with high precipitation rates.
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