Unprecedented Phenomenon Observed in Gyumri, Details from Gagik Surenyans

The head of the Meteorological Center, Gagik Surenyans, has published data indicating that on July 13, an unprecedented amount of precipitation fell in Gyumri in just one hour.

“According to long-term climate characteristics, weather conditions in the territory of Armenia stabilize in July, and cyclonic activity ceases. Dry and hot air currents penetrating from tropical latitudes dominate our region, creating hot and dry weather. However, in certain years, this pattern is disrupted. In the past five days, due to an active cyclone that penetrated from the Black Sea, heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms and increased winds have been observed in various parts of the republic, with some areas also experiencing hail.

On the afternoon of July 13, between 16:00 and 17:00, an unprecedented phenomenon was observed in Gyumri, where intense rainfall and prolonged hail fell within an hour. The amount of precipitation during that hour reached 81mm, which is double the monthly norm.

The observed intense rain and hail formation was due to a cyclone affecting the territory of Armenia that had penetrated from the Black Sea, with its cloud cover visible in satellite imagery. By 15:00, a significant development of convective clouds was observed westward from Armenia.

According to meteorological radar data at 15:00, powerful thunderstorm clouds were located south and southwest of Shirak. The vertical intensity of these clouds reached 12-14 km and had a reflectivity level of 50 dBZ, indicating that these formations were producing significant hail and rainfall accumulations. Since south and southwest air currents were present at altitudes ranging from 5000 to 7000 m, they reached Shirak around 16:00, with Gyumri being the most affected area, experiencing unprecedented levels of rain and hail.

Due to the heavy precipitation, significant flooding occurred in Gyumri, with flash floods covering vehicles in some areas and inundating residential buildings.

Photos of the flooding in Gyumri.