The most spectacular images and videos of the hailstorms that have hit Spain due to the winds.

From Madrid to La Rioja, via Toledo and Guadalajara, the storm left a trail of spectacular images in Spain: streets covered in a thick layer of hail and hundreds of videos shared by stunned residents. Social media was filled with scenes that looked like something out of a movie, with completely white sidewalks, trapped cars, and storms that darkened the sky as if it were winter.

Madrid experienced an unusual phenomenon for this time of year. What began as a light rain turned into an intense hailstorm starting at 6:00 PM, surprising those who were strolling without umbrellas. In just a few minutes, the city center and other surrounding areas, such as Majadahonda, Getafe, Leganés, and Fuenlabrada, experienced a storm that unleashed large hailstones.

One of the most striking incidents was the fall of a tree on a car traveling on the M-30 highway near Exit 6B. The driver, who suffered an anxiety attack, was treated by emergency services. The spectacular nature of the incident was also reflected in videos recorded from terraces and rooftops, where the constant pounding of hail on roofs and vehicles can be seen.

But while Madrid was surprisingly harsh due to its contrasting weather patterns, La Rioja became one of the areas most affected by this new wave. In towns like Navarrete and Valdegastea, the hail fell with such intensity that shovels and light machinery were needed to clear the streets.

Neighbors and volunteers worked for hours to remove the thick layer of hail that covered streets, school entrances, and doorways. Some videos show how the accumulated ice rose above the curb and blocked gutters. Flooded garages and waterlogged businesses completed a scene rarely seen outside of winter.

In Guadalajara, although the alert was already in effect, the storm didn't let up. The hail was so intense that traffic had to be shut down in some parts of the city. On Avenida Francia, water rose above car tires, leaving a scene more reminiscent of a river than an urban road.

Meanwhile, in Toledo, hail struck heavily in the afternoon, covering sidewalks and roads with a layer of ice. Footage filmed by residents shows hail bouncing off the asphalt and roofs beginning to shed fragments due to the force of the impact.

The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) had already warned of the instability this storm would bring, but few imagined the event would leave such striking images. Although the phenomenon has not caused serious injuries, it has caused dozens of incidents, especially in urban areas.

As is often the case in these cases, the videos quickly went viral. Clips of broken umbrellas, hail the size of golf balls, and neighbors skiing through the hail in the middle of the street have been shared on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram.