Hyderabad recently witnessed an unexpected weather shift that quickly became a trending topic on social media. Amid intense summer heat, a thunderstorm brought hail to parts of the city, with visuals from the Outer Ring Road (ORR) spreading rapidly online.
Sudden Weather Change After Intense Heat
The city was enduring a scorching hot day when the weather abruptly changed later with a thunderstorm. This shift brought hail along with it, which settled in some areas for a short duration. One of the most noticeable effects was observed on the Outer Ring Road, where the surface appeared white due to the accumulation of hailstones. This unusual sight immediately captured attention both on the ground and across social media platforms.
ORR Covered in Hail, Not Snow
Videos from the Outer Ring Road depicted roads blanketed in what looked like a white sheet. This led many online observers to believe that snowfall had occurred in Hyderabad. However, it has been clarified that the white covering was due to hail, not snow. Snowfall does not occur in Hyderabad's climate, especially during summer conditions. Hail forms inside thunderstorm clouds in colder upper atmospheric layers and then falls to the ground during strong weather activity, resulting in the white appearance on the road.
Viral Social Media Reactions
The visuals quickly spread across social media platforms, where users shared videos and reacted to the unusual weather scene. One user wrote, "Mini Himalaya scene in Hyderabad ORR with snow." Another user shared a video and commented, "The Outer Ring Road between Shamshabad and Nadergul was covered with a blanket of hailstones for several kilometers following yesterday's hailstorm." Additional posts showed people playing with the hail, taking pictures, and spending time with children during the moment.
Weather Experts on the Situation
Meteorologists have explained that hail during thunderstorms is a known weather phenomenon and can occur even in hot seasons. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that Hyderabad may continue to record temperatures exceeding 40°C. Along with the heat, the city may also experience cloudy skies and light rain or thunderstorms in some areas.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on videos and posts shared on social media, along with preliminary inputs from weather updates. The Times of India has not independently verified all user-generated content.
