THUNDERSTORMS ON 29 JUNE 2006 AND THEIR EFFECTS IN FORESTS

Abstract

At the end of June 2006 hot summer weather with the highest daily temperatures above 30°C prevailed. At the end of this period, the atmosphere became more humid and the coincidence of strong sun radiation, heat and humid air made the atmosphere very labile. Severe thunderstorms with hail occurred around Ruše in the forenoon of June, 29. Heavy thunderstorms also later occurred in central and western Slovenia, where a multi-cell storm system built up and reached eastern Slovenia in the afternoon. It caused strong wind, heavy rain and hail in many places. The stormy weather caused two major windthrows. The first occurred in the western part of the Jelovica plateau, where around 85,000 m3 of timber was felled. The second windthrow occurred near Ptuj, where 13,000 m³ of timber was damaged. Forest was also damaged by hail in Haloze.