A sudden hailstorm struck Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on March 11, surprising residents as icy pellets rained down during severe thunderstorms.
Videos from the scene show people scrambling for cover as hail, an uncommon occurrence in Indonesia, pelted the streets.
While hailstorms remain rare in the region, they are becoming more frequent due to shifting weather patterns.
BMKG Explains the Cause
According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the storm affected Sleman Regency, Bantul, and Yogyakarta City. Warjono, head of BMKG Yogyakarta’s Meteorological Station, explained that hail forms when ice crystals at high altitudes collide with supercooled water droplets.
With temperatures dropping as low as -76 degrees Celsius at around 15 kilometers above ground, the ice crystals grow until they become too heavy and fall as hail.
Widespread Damage Reported
The extreme weather caused damage in several districts. In Sleman, strong winds uprooted trees in 18 locations, damaged five homes and one business, and blocked roads in seven areas. In Yogyakarta City, heavy rain severely impacted Jetis and Danurejan districts.
The Yogyakarta Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported that the storm hit six districts, including Ngaglik, Gamping, and Mlati, starting at 6:00 p.m. local time. While no injuries were reported, residents were left shocked by the rare weather event.
Previous Hailstorms in Indonesia
While hailstorms are uncommon in Indonesia’s tropical climate, they have been occurring more frequently in recent years. In February 2022, parts of East Java, including Surabaya, experienced a hailstorm accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) linked the event to intense air mass convection on a local scale.
In November 2024, a rare hailstorm hit Tabanan Regency in Bali. BMKG explained that the phenomenon was caused by strong downward air currents that triggered cumulonimbus cloud formations, a common factor in severe weather events. The hailstorm occurred during a seasonal transition when atmospheric conditions were unstable and favored convective storms.
These incidents indicate a possible trend of increasing hailstorms in Indonesia.
Authorities Urge Caution
Indonesia rarely experiences hailstorms, but experts warn they could become more common due to climate changes. Authorities advise residents to stay indoors during extreme weather and remain cautious of potential hazards.
Cleanup efforts are already underway to clear fallen trees and restore affected areas.
Watch the video here:
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♬ Information transmission, IT, technology, product introduction(1189310) – yutaka.T
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