Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a woman experiences in labor the farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period
… And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11).
… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)
… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken; (Luke 21:26)
… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)
Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several of many such prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This list can go on. Most studied Eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like a woman having labor pains, growing in intensity, frequency, size and duration.

How rare is giant hail in Europe

Posted by Teo Blašković on June 19, 2019. Watchers.news

2019 storm season brought unusually strong thunderstorms, out-of-season windstorms and very large/violent/destructive hailstorms to much of Europe. Very rare giant hail was reported on several occasions, inflicting heavy damage.

On June 11, multiple severe storms occurred over parts of Central Europe, with several prolific hail producers and two of them even produced hailstones reaching a diameter of 10 cm (3.9 inches) or more – giant hail.

Such large hail was reported from Gorzów Wielkopolski-Ustronie and Wojcieszyce in western Poland with the largest stone measuring 12 cm (4.7 inches), according to a report published by the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL). “This makes it the biggest officially measured hailstone in this country according to our partner Skywarn Polska.”

Giant hail also occurred in Stari Trg ob Kolpi, southern Slovenia, and Brod Moravice, northern Croatia, with a maximum reported hail diameter of 11 cm (4.3 inches). This hailstorm actually tracked very close to the path of another giant hail producing storm last year that struck Črnomelj, Slovenia, with hail up to 12 cm (4.7 inches) in diameter.

Marko Korosec, a weather adviser for traffic and highways, said hailstones that fell on Slovenia that day were the size of oranges (up to 14 cm / 5.5 inches). They caused significant damage to cars and houses, leaving complete destruction in some areas. More than 200 buildings were damaged in Stari Trg ob Kolpi, Črnomelj alone, and about 130 in Kočevje.

“Most of the roofs of houses were completely destroyed, cars as well – all windows and windshields shattered. The biggest I measured was 11 cm [4.3 inches] which was two to three hours after the storm. In that time they would have melted by 2 cm to 3 cm [0.8 – 1.2 inches] so in reality, the hailstones were up to 14 cm [5.5 inches] in diameter.”

Hailstorms hit the region almost exactly one year after the region suffered massive hail damage.

On June 10, brutal hailstorms battered southern Germany, with hailstones larger than 6.5 cm (2.5 inches), leaving several people, including a 7-year-old child injured.

Hail the size of golf and tennis balls damaged numerous cars, boats and homes in the state of Bavaria, including its capital Munich, local media reported.

Violent hailstorms swept through southeastern France on June 15 and 16, 2019, causing significant infrastructural and agricultural damage. One person was killed in the town of Taninges, Haute-Savoie department of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Farmers reported hail the size of golf balls and up to tennis balls decimated their orchards and vineyards. In some cases, entire harvests were destroyed. 

Agriculture Minister Didier Guillaume said the state would declare a natural emergency to trigger insurance payments and other help to farmers facing huge losses.

“It’s catastrophic, I’ve rarely seen scenes like this,” Guillaume said Sunday. “It’s unthinkable that farmers would be forced into bankruptcy because of this.”

Severe storms also hit other parts of Europe, including Switzerland where a woman died after her excursion boat capsized in Lake Geneva. Local media reported the storm caused severe destruction in the city of Geneva. 

It took just 1 hour for winds of more than 50 kt (93 km/h / 58 mph) and violent hailstorm to cause a great deal of damage to the Bol d’Or Mirabaud fleet, world’s most important regatta in closed waters with more than 500 boats at the start.

Although exact statistics do not exist, regatta organizers reported at least 212 abandonments, 40 dismastings and several capsized sailboats. Many people ended up in the water and had to be rescued.

Before June 11, 2019, giant hail was reported 91 times in the European Severe Weather Database (www.eswd.eu) across many different regions in Europe (see figure below) and 42 times since the founding of ESSL on January 1, 2006.

Giant hail comprises on only about 0.38% of all large hail reports (minimum diameter 2 cm / 0.78 inches) submitted to the database. Such hail can cause very serious damage, injuries and occasionally be fatal to humans and animals.

The largest reported hail sizes in recent years are 15 cm (5.9 inches) on June 20, 2016 in Sânandrei in western Romania and 14.1 cm (5.55 inches) on August 6, 2013 in Undingen in southwestern Germany.