Severe thunderstorm in Sweden hospitalizes eight young people after lightning strike in Lidingö

A severe thunderstorm hit parts of Svealand and Götaland in Sweden on Thursday, leading to eight young people being hospitalized after a lightning strike occurred at a football field in Lidingö, near Stockholm. The storm developed unexpectedly, catching meteorologists off guard as no warnings had been issued. According to meteorologists, this was due to the thunderstorm forming in warm air, which makes it harder to predict. “Our models found it very difficult to capture this event,” said meteorologist Maria Augutis. “We were able to track the strong system over Värmland and northwestern Götaland well, but not the one that struck Stockholm. Sometimes, this happens.”

Sudden storms and thunderstorms are particularly common in late summer, as the air is warm and humid. “There is a lot of energy in the air, which allows thunderstorms to develop from nowhere. It can go from bright sunshine to flashes and thunder in no time,” Augutis explained.

On Friday, meteorologists issued yellow warnings for thunderstorms in eastern Svealand, Stockholm County, and parts of Södermanland and Uppsala counties, anticipating heavy rain and thunderstorms. “One must be vigilant; conditions will remain turbulent today in the eastern regions,” Augutis cautioned.