Spain, Germany and Poland ravaged by ‘biblical’ thunderstorms as ‘Lucifer’ heatwave ends with apocalyptic rainfall across Europe
THE hellish 'Lucifer' heatwave which has fried much of Europe for more than a week is being wiped out by 'biblical' thunderstorms pouring from the heavens.
Spain, Germany and Poland have all been battered by torrential rainfall and storms over the past 36 hours - after sizzling in unbearable temperatures topping 40 degrees.
The holiday isle of Ibiza was rocked by an estimated 3,000 lightning bolts in just three hours on Wednesday - with more than 20mm of rain falling within an hour.
The widespread downpours have been sparked by Lucifer's scorching air which has scorched swathes of Europe over the last few weeks.
The hot air has risen and is clashing with cold air at the top of a high-pressure system causing water vapour to condense forming huge storm clouds - bringing the downpours.
The chaotic weather has also caused floods in Brit holiday hotspots and brought devastating hail in Spain and horror wildfires in Albania and Greece.
These astonishing pictures show the bizarre and wildly different conditions that have scoured the continent thanks to a cyclone from Africa - dubbed Lucifer by Italians after the ruler of hell - that pushed temperatures above 40C from Spain to the Balkans.
In one incredible picture a car is surrounded by a river of flame in Albania - where wildfires are tearing through the countryside.
The nightmarish image, taken last night, shows flames and smoke rise from a forest in fire near Sarande in the Muzina mountain region in southern Albania.
Forest fires have spread all over Albania, Greece and Corsica, often in hardly accessible and remote areas, as the country has been engulfed by an unusual heat wave.
But in Ibiza a young holidaymaker was pictured using his lilo to surf the soggy streets of San Antonio after the party island was hit by summer storms.
The youngster entertained his mum with an impromptu display after lightning and heavy rain forced them off the beach.
Flights into and out of the island were affected and a road leading to the airport flooded as an unseasonal heatwave gave way to a downpour with heavy rain and wind.
An estimated 3,000 lightning bolts were recorded in just three hours late yesterday afternoon and 20mm of rain fell in just an hour.
The chaos continued in Southern France, where six British hikers were struck by lightning during a thunderstorm earlier this week.
reported the group - which included two children - were struck as they hiked the GR9 route in Monieux.
At least ten people have died from the Lucifer heatwave, which has damaged crops and caused hundreds of wildfires, and in violent storms.
The heatwave has also forced the closure of summer skiing on an Italian glacier for the first time in 90 YEARS.
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Skiing is normally possible throughout the summer months on the Stelvio Pass glacier, which lies at 3,450 metres, or 11,319ft.
But the torrid heat of the past couple of weeks has turned the snowy pistes into wet slush.
In Germany lightning strikes have hit Bavaria and Saxony, sending several homes up in flames.
Lightning hit houses in the eastern Saxon town of Lauta and Thalmässing in Bavaria near Nuremberg.
In Italy at least three people have died and many needed treatment for sunstroke and heat exhaustion.
Floodwaters and mud coursed through the Italian mountain village of Ollomont in the northern Aosta Valley two days ago.
reported that 150 residents and tourists had to be evacuated from the area.
Hospitals have reported a 15 to 20 per cent increase in the number of admissions since Lucifer hit.