A violent hailstorm swept through Perico García, a locality in Los Palacios, Pinar del Río province, on Saturday, causing significant damage to banana crops in the area.
The Meteorological Institute reported that this weather event occurred amid a day of intense convective activity impacting much of Cuban territory, with the primary storm systems concentrated in the western part of the country.
At 6:30 PM, amateur meteorologist Gustavo Moreno Denis shared an update describing the system as an "extensive and organized cloud cover within the central convective spine, enveloping a large portion of the west and center of the country, extending towards the east," with "numerous convective cores indicating storms with very cold tops and strong vertical development."
The 6:30 PM report indicated that the main storm system over Pinar del Río had shifted slightly eastward, with the heaviest rain and lightning centered around Los Palacios, Consolación del Sur, the city of Pinar del Río, and Bahía Honda.
Electrical activity also surged in Havana and Mayabeque, with intense localized rainfalls, while in the central regions, a "continuous band of convective cloudiness stretched from Matanzas to Ciego de Ávila," with the most active cores over southern Matanzas and near Santa Clara in Villa Clara.
Infrared satellite images from NASA captured at 22:10 UTC confirmed the scale of the system, revealing multiple convective cores with very cold tops over Cuba and the Caribbean, indicative of storms with strong vertical development.
Moreno Denis urged residents in the west and center to "exercise extreme caution due to heavy rains, flash floods, and lightning," and warned the eastern regions that "activity could increase later in the afternoon."
Bananas are a key agricultural product in Pinar del Río, crucial for the province's food security, with productive areas spread across several municipalities.
The damage reported on Saturday adds to a series of meteorological impacts that have battered Pinar del Río's agriculture in recent years.
This summer season has already seen similar destruction in other provinces: a hailstorm hit Camagüey on July 10, toppling trees and causing power outages that affected hospitals, while Varadero was struck by a severe local storm on July 9, which tore roofs off and rendered First Avenue impassable.
Additionally, in July, strong winds destroyed educational facilities and damaged crops in Pilón, Granma, with direct losses to banana and mango plantations.
Locally severe storms are a recurring phenomenon in Cuba during the summer months, characterized by intense rain, electrical activity, and occasional hail.
In March 2025, hail was also reported in Pinar del Río during a day of local storms that affected several provinces across the country.
Understanding Weather Patterns in Cuba
What caused the recent severe storm in Pinar del Río?
The severe storm was part of a day of intense convective activity across much of Cuba, with the primary storm system concentrated in the western part of the country.
How does hail affect banana crops?
Hail can cause significant damage to banana crops by bruising or breaking plant tissues, leading to reduced yields and quality.
Are severe storms common in Cuba during the summer?
Yes, locally severe storms are a common occurrence in Cuba during the summer months, often featuring intense rain, electrical activity, and sometimes hail.