UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS

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2026-06-11 23:58
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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2026 Meeting


Section: Atmosphere and Earth Science; Environment Protection


Title:
An updated hail climatology of Romania (1995–2025)


Authors:
Andreea CRISTIAN


*
Affiliation:
1)Interdisciplinary School of Doctoral Studies, University of Bucharest, 6 Transilvaniei Street, Sector 1, 010796, Bucharest, Romania


E-mail
andreea.cristian2@s.unibuc.ro


Keywords:
hail, climatology, Romania, storms


Abstract:
This study presents an updated climatology of hail occurrence in Romania for the period 1995–2025, based on a combined dataset from the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD) and the Romanian National Meteorological Administration (ANM). By combining public reports with official station observations, the study offers a broader and more reliable picture of hail variability across Romania. Hail occurrence is analysed from three complementary perspectives: number of reports, number of hail days and hailstone diameter. The results show a strong seasonal signal, with hail occurring almost exclusively during the warm season. On a monthly scale, hail activity peaks between May and July, with June recording the highest number of reports and May–June the highest number of hail days. These months account for most hail occurrence, confirming the close link between hail and the main convective season. The annual distribution reveals pronounced interannual variability, with several active years after 2012 and peaks exceeding 200 hail reports. Spatially, hail is widespread across Romania, although higher frequencies occur over plains and plateau regions, partly reflecting observation and reporting density. Dobrogea shows the lowest number of hail days, likely due to the stabilizing influence of the Black Sea, while Muntenia, western Romania and subcarpathian regions display enhanced activity. Trend analysis indicates increasing hail-day frequencies in many counties, especially in western, northern and northeastern Romania, with isolated negative trends. Hail-size analysis shows that most severe hail reports cluster just above 20 mm, while very large hail is rare. However, diameters up to 150 mm confirm the potential for high-impact convective storms. This study provides a comprehensive update of hail climatology in Romania, with relevance for severe-weather risk assessment, agriculture, insurance and climate adaptation.