Tension rises as storm looms over Budapest: Fireworks show in jeopardy

As expected, HungaroMet has issued an official weather alert, warning that heavy thunderstorms are approaching Budapest, according to Zoltán Kovács, head of the task force responsible for ensuring safety during the 20 August national holiday.

Kovác shared the update on his Facebook page late Tuesday afternoon. The decision on whether the fireworks display, scheduled for 9 PM, will proceed or be cancelled has not yet been made. Meanwhile, the storm has already hit north of the capital, bringing hail with it, Portfolio reports.

There are still many uncertainties regarding the evening weather, so the final decision on whether to hold or postpone the fireworks will be communicated later.

Kovács urged everyone to take weather alerts and warnings seriously, advising people to seek shelter if necessary.

HungaroMet issued the severe weather warning earlier this afternoon. At 4 PM, the meteorological service highlighted the primary danger for today as heavy rain, but also noted the possibility of hail and high winds.

According to Időkép, the storm has already been raging in Vác, where hail fell for 10-11 minutes. Parts of the city have been flooded due to the sudden downpour, with water reaching knee height in some areas, as the drainage system couldn’t handle the volume.

Background

Earlier in the afternoon, the state secretary announced that, in light of public safety concerns, the task force will be making hourly decisions on whether the Budapest fireworks show will go ahead. He described the weather situation as highly unusual, with significant atmospheric instability. Forecasts suggest the likelihood of showers and thunderstorms, yet the sun is shining brightly, and the public events are drawing large crowds.

“We still cannot predict the exact conditions for the evening, which is why we’ve decided to evaluate the situation hourly. Keeping public safety and event security in mind, we will continue to inform the public of any developments,” the state secretary stated.

Read also:

• Downpour warning issued: Will the spectacular firework show on 20 August be cancelled?
• Hungary prepares for Europe’s largest fireworks display on 20 August in Budapest – Here are the details

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