Storm Hits Struga, Berovo and Skopje, Uproots Tree in Gjorče Petrov
Heavy rain, thunder and strong winds swept several regions of the country yesterday, arriving just a day after 37 open-air fires were recorded nationwide.
A storm swept through several parts of the country yesterday afternoon, bringing heavy rain, thunder and strong winds. The Hydrometeorological Administration had warned in advance of possible severe weather with hail and localized downpours, and the forecast played out in full.
Conditions were most unstable in the Ohrid-Struga region, where strong winds churned Lake Ohrid and thunderstorm activity developed over the lake itself. Bad weather was also recorded in Berovo and other parts of eastern Macedonia. The wind was felt in Skopje as well, particularly in Gjorče Petrov, where — according to field reports — it was strong enough to uproot a tree, creating an added hazard for pedestrians and drivers in that part of the city.
A Second Front After a Wave of Wildfires
The storm arrives just a day after the country closed out a 24-hour period with 37 recorded open-air fires — three still active, one under control, the rest extinguished. The sudden drop in temperature and the rainfall will likely help put out the remaining hot spots, but they carry their own risks too — fallen trees, disrupted traffic and localized flooding wherever rainfall was heaviest.
Residents in affected regions are advised to stay alert, particularly while driving through tree-lined roads, and to follow official updates as the weather continues to develop.
MKNews Hub · Macedonia · August 19, 2026