Stormy Weather: Europe and East Asia Reel from Severe Thunderstorms and Heatwaves

A powerful storm system brought chaos to the Balkans last week, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The severe thunderstorms developed over the Adriatic Sea, where a mass of unstable hot air collided with a cold front that had plunged southeastward. As the storm swept through Slovenia, it brought wind gusts of up to 65mph and heavy rain, with 23mm of precipitation recorded in the town of Kranj. The storm then moved on to Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, causing widespread damage and destruction. In the Komenda municipality, over 100 buildings were damaged, with some homes losing their roofs to the violent winds. The storm continued its path of destruction, moving into Greece on June 12. Meanwhile, on the other side of Eurasia, a black rainstorm warning was issued in Hong Kong, prompting outdoor workers to take shelter and schools to close. The warning was issued due to hourly rainfall totals exceeding 70mm, which caused widespread flooding in the area. Wind speeds of up to 50mph were also recorded in the district of Tai O. In contrast, France has been experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures soaring into the mid-to-high 30s. The heatwave is expected to continue, with temperatures predicted to reach 41C in the coming days. What's unusual about this heatwave is that it's affecting northern and western France, areas that are typically cooler than the Rhone valley, which usually records the highest temperatures during heatwaves.