A freak hailstorm has struck Guadalajara, one of Mexico's most populous cities, burying vehicles in a deluge of ice pellets up to two metres deep. At least six neighbourhoods woke to find their streets covered in ice, with some areas experiencing accumulations of up to two metres.
State Governor Enrique Alfaro expressed astonishment at the unprecedented event, linking it to climate change. 'I've never seen such scenes in Guadalajara. Then we ask ourselves if climate change is real. These are never-before-seen natural phenomena. It's incredible,' he said.
Guadalajara, located north-west of Mexico City with a population of around five million, has been experiencing summer temperatures of around 31C (88F) in recent days. While seasonal hailstorms do occur, there is no record of anything so heavy.
Nearly 200 homes and businesses reported hail damage, and at least 50 vehicles were swept away by the deluge of ice in hilly areas, some buried under piles of pellets. No casualties were reported, but two people showed early signs of hypothermia, according to the state civil protection office.
Children scampered around and hurled iceballs at each other, while civil protection personnel and soldiers brought out heavy machinery to clear the roads.
