Severe hailstorm leaves thick hail cover across León and Moroleón, Guanajuato, Mexico
A severe hailstorm struck the municipalities of León and Moroleón in Guanajuato, Mexico, at approximately 17:30 local time (LT) on July 6, 2025, producing significant hail accumulation across multiple neighborhoods.
The streets of León, Guanajuato after intense hailstorm on July 6, 2025. Credit: RRSS
An intense hailstorm affected the cities of León and Moroleón, Guanajuato, Mexico, starting at approximately 17:30 local time on July 6. The event, which lasted for about 30 minutes, resulted in heavy accumulation of hail, significant flooding, and traffic disruptions across urban areas.
In León, local sources reported hailstones about the size of marbles, with a diameter of 10 mm (0.4 inches). The storm was accompanied by intense rainfall and gusts of wind, reaching up to 60 km/h (37 mph) in some areas. Affected locations included both northern and southern zones of the city, with notable impact on main boulevards such as La Luz, Vicente Valtierra, Francisco González Bocanegra, Torres Landa, and the José María Morelos bypass.
Residential areas including Los Pinos, Andrade, Tlacuache Oriente, and Azteca also experienced significant hail accumulation. Temporary road closures were reported due to flooding and ice on the pavement, particularly in low-lying and high-traffic zones.
In Moroleón, the hailstorm began shortly before 18:00 and covered roads, sidewalks, and rooftops in a layer of hail, prompting local comparisons to winter landscapes. Water depths of up to 25 cm (10 inches) were reported on major streets such as Alma Barragán, 12 de Octubre, Aquiles Serdán, Hidalgo, and Zaragoza, leading to temporary street closures.
Several vehicles were stalled or trapped in icy, flooded lanes, and there was one report of minor water damage to a household. No injuries were reported. Local emergency services mobilized rapidly to manage the flooding and advise residents to avoid affected areas.
The Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) had issued warnings for strong storms with possible hail accumulation and wind gusts of 40–60 km/h (25–37 mph) across Guanajuato for July 6. The hailstorm formed under unstable atmospheric conditions linked to a low-pressure system and high convective activity, which are typical during the region’s summer rainy season.
Witnesses described streets and parks in both cities as blanketed in white, with some comparing the scenes to those of winter landscapes.
The storm was part of a larger pattern of above-average rainfall in central Mexico during June and July 2025. According to SMN, precipitation in June 2025 was approximately 51% above the long-term average. Hail in this region typically forms in strong cumulonimbus clouds with vigorous updrafts and can range from 5 to 50 mm (0.2 to 2 inches) in diameter.
References:
1 FOTOS | Tormenta y granizo sorprende en León; reportan cierres viales, inundaciones y árboles caídos – AM – 7 July, 2025
2 Granizada intensa paraliza Moroleón y deja calles cubiertas de hielo – Puntocero News – July 6, 2025
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