In the last year, 1,035 tornadoes were recorded in Europe (872 in 2023). Of these, around two thirds were water tornadoes, which are generally less dangerous because they are easier to spot and disappear quickly once they reach land. A further 380 were land tornadoes, according to Meteo.lt. 

„180 of the tornadoes were weak and in the lowest IF0–IF1 categories. 22 tornadoes were strong and in the IF2 and IF3 categories. The tornadoes claimed 1 life and injured 19 people“, – shared on social network Meteo.lt.

The tornadoes recorded in Lithuania are usually weak and very short-lived. Often, only the beginnings of tornadoes are visible, looking like short tails sticking out of the clouds. Despite this, last July saw one of the strongest thunderstorms in the country's history. Technically, the tornado's tassel reached the ground three times, so it's like three separate tornadoes. 

One of them was the longest-lived and even reached the ~IF2 category. The disaster struck the settlements of Kelme and Šiauliai district.

„Around 4 pm, a tornado struck the village of Jauniškės, Kelme district, where it tore off the roofs of several farmhouses, uprooted trees and power poles. Around 17:00, another tornado appeared in the Šiauliai district villages of Vileikiai, Pakapė, Meškiškės and Einoraičiai, also destroying the roofs of houses, damaging outbuildings and disrupting the electricity supply. According to the available data, no significant injuries were reported," Meteo.lt reminds.