Residents of Vertientes, a municipality in Camagüey province, faced an unexpected severe storm on Saturday afternoon. The storm unleashed strong winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning, leaving a trail of dramatic visuals shared widely on social media.
Yosmelvi Páez Cornell, a meteorologist, shared striking images that captured the storm's intensity. For several minutes, the gusts rivaled those of a tropical storm. At around 7:00 p.m. local time, Páez Cornell reported that "a high-intensity storm cell struck directly over the municipal center," producing sustained winds for eight minutes with speeds ranging from 70 to 80 km/h, and a peak gust reaching 112 km/h. This powerful blast caused damage to tree branches and was accompanied by significant lightning activity and short but intense downpours.
This was not the only noteworthy weather event in the country that day. Reports also emerged of a tornado in Aguada de Pasajeros, located in Cienfuegos province.
Impact of Severe Weather in Camagüey
What were the wind speeds during the storm in Camagüey?
The storm produced sustained winds between 70 and 80 km/h, with a peak gust reaching 112 km/h.
Were there any other severe weather events in Cuba on the same day?
Yes, there were reports of a tornado in Aguada de Pasajeros, Cienfuegos province.