The storm of the century? Tornado hit Soltvadkert in Central Hungary – PHOTOS

A likely “classic” tornado struck the town of Soltvadkert in Bács-Kiskun County early on 18 April, causing significant damage, according to a study published by HungaroMet Plc. on its website.

According to the study, at 2 AM on 18 April, a passing thunderstorm system unleashed extremely strong winds, heavy rainfall, and intense hail over northern Soltvadkert. The wind, which quickly accelerated to hurricane force, damaged homes, uprooted trees, and caused widespread destruction.

The worst damage occurred along a relatively narrow path. Just a few hundred meters outside this zone, the scale of the destruction dropped significantly. At a meteorological station about three kilometers southwest of the damage path, HungaroMet’s certified wind instruments recorded a maximum gust of only 25 kilometers per hour, and no other nearby areas experienced storm-force winds.

The radar showed that by 1 AM, a storm system made up of two large cells had entered the country’s border, moving rapidly north. The first cell reached the Soltvadkert area by 1:40 a.m., while the second cell moved between Kiskunmajsa and Kiskunhalas, also heading north. It was this stronger, second cell that arrived over Soltvadkert by 2 AM, bringing damaging winds and hail.

After passing over Soltvadkert, the two main storm cells continued their course toward the capital. However, no reports emerged of damage elsewhere on the scale seen in Soltvadkert.