Photo by Pexels
Newz.Africa, News Desk | 17 April 2026 |Tunisia | Algeria | North Africa hail
Severe thunderstorms affected parts of North Africa this week, bringing hail accumulation in Algeria and Tunisia. The weather system also caused heavy rain in central Italy, with the strongest impacts reported on Monday and into the following day.
What’s Happening
A surface low-pressure system in the Mediterranean, combined with an upper air cut-off low, helped trigger thunderstorms across North Africa on Monday. Hot conditions before the storms added to their intensity.
Algeria and Tunisia were among the areas most affected. In Algeria, hail accumulations of up to 3cm were reported in Oum Ladjoul and Hammam Sokhna. In Tunisia, hailstones of up to 3cm in diameter were recorded in Makthar.
Storm activity continued through the following day. In Ouled Bousmir, Tunisia, hail formed a layer about 2cm deep.
Newz.Africa Analysis
The storm system shows how quickly severe weather can build when strong atmospheric conditions combine with hot surface temperatures. Hail of this size can affect roads, crops, outdoor property and local movement, depending on the area struck.
The weather pattern also underlines the wider regional impact of Mediterranean storm systems, which can affect multiple countries over a short period. Further monitoring is likely as unsettled conditions move across the region.
The Tunisia National Institute of Meteorology weather alert warned of “a significant deterioration in weather conditions” from 13 April, with atmospheric instability creating conditions favourable for thunderstorms across northern and central regions. The bulletin states that “temporary thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall” were expected, with rainfall between 30 and 50mm and possible hail in some areas, alongside wind gusts reaching up to 80km/h.
In a follow-up forecast, the institute confirmed that unstable conditions would persist, noting that “rainfall may be heavy at times” with continued risk of hail and strong winds during thunderstorms, particularly across coastal and inland regions. Meteorological analysis linked the conditions to a developing low-pressure system moving across the Algeria–Tunisia corridor, with official vigilance data indicating a depression system deepening toward 998 hPa, a setup typically associated with severe storm development.
The alerts underscore the need for continued monitoring as the system moves across the region, with authorities expected to issue further guidance if conditions persist or intensify. The presence of a low-pressure system combined with unstable atmospheric conditions increases the likelihood of repeated storm activity, which may affect transport, agriculture and local infrastructure in the coming days.
Additional meteorological context indicates that this type of cut-off low system can persist over the Mediterranean for several days, often producing staggered bands of thunderstorms as it interacts with warmer surface air. These setups are closely monitored by regional forecasting centres due to their capacity to shift rapidly in intensity and location, making short-term prediction challenging and increasing the likelihood of localised impacts even within broader forecast zones.
Original reporting
Newz.Africa reviewed the Tunisia National Institute of Meteorology weather alert bulletin issued for 13 to 15 April 2026, alongside subsequent forecast updates confirming continued atmospheric instability across northern and central regions. The institute was also referenced for associated pressure readings and hazard indicators linked to the developing low-pressure system. Requests for additional clarification on reported hail impacts were not applicable as no direct response from national meteorological authorities was received before publication.
About the Author
