April Fools’ Day is celebrated worldwide with people playing jokes and harmless pranks on each other. Sadly, this year it looks like the weather decided to play a prank of its own, capturing first prize for the best April Fools’ joke. Freezing winds and a snowfall in Moscow, Storm Niklas in Europe, flooding in Chile – take a look at our picture gallery of recent weather freaks across the world.
In Germany, Storm Niklas caused massive transport delays, especially on railroads. Some southwestern areas of the country were left without electricity, as many wind turbines were switched off to avoid producing too much power. Hurricane-force winds also battered the Netherlands and the UK.
Above: Heavy wind blows the loose parts of a covering of scaffolding as Storm Niklas strikes in Berlin.
Above: Heavy wind blows the loose parts of a covering of scaffolding as Storm Niklas strikes in Berlin.
Hurricane Niklas raged across Germany on March 31 leaving three people dead as windy weather continued to batter Europe.
Above: Firefighters remove parts of a tree from a street at Wedding district, as Storm Niklas strikes Berlin on March 31, 2015.
Above: Firefighters remove parts of a tree from a street at Wedding district, as Storm Niklas strikes Berlin on March 31, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Bodo Marks
The hurricane-force winds caused several key transport services to close for the day as a safety measure. A German weather agency spokesman said winds reached up to 160 kmh.
Above: Waves crash against a towboat during heavy winds on the river Elbe near Brunsbuettel, northern Germany.
Above: Waves crash against a towboat during heavy winds on the river Elbe near Brunsbuettel, northern Germany.
A windstorm hit the Czech Republic on March 30. Some roads and motorways in the northern part of the country were closed over heavy snowfall and strong winds. Many road accidents were reported due to poor weather conditions. Meteorologists also warned of swollen rivers due to heavy rains.
Above: A boy takes a photo of a car covered by a sheet of metal roofing in Prague.
Above: A boy takes a photo of a car covered by a sheet of metal roofing in Prague.
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© Sputnik / Alexander Ratsimor
After several weeks of sunny warm weather, winter struck back in Moscow. Temperatures dropped below zero, and a heavy layer of snow blanketed the city. Over the weekend freezing hurricane winds battered the Russian capital leaving three injured. Over 30 trees were toppled and the roofs of 76 buildings were damaged in the storm.
Above: A tree that hit a car due to a strong gust of wind in Moscow's Sokolniki District.
Above: A tree that hit a car due to a strong gust of wind in Moscow's Sokolniki District.
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© AP Photo / Sue Ogrocki
Tornado season in the US began on March 26 with a series of violent tornados. Tornado season usually picks up in parts of the country in March, but until Tuesday, it had been more than a month since the US had seen a twister.
Above: Oklahoma Natural Gas workers walk through the tornado-damaged River Oaks Estates mobile home park in Sand Springs.
Above: Oklahoma Natural Gas workers walk through the tornado-damaged River Oaks Estates mobile home park in Sand Springs.
Storms ravaged the cities of Tulsa and Moore in Oklahoma, leaving one person dead and 15 injured. Several tornados also hit the state of Arkansas. Heavy storms swept across Kansas and Missouri.
Above: A Tornado is seen in Keystone Lake, Oklahoma, March 25, 2015.
Above: A Tornado is seen in Keystone Lake, Oklahoma, March 25, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Dar Yasin
This year, March was the wettest month in over 100 years in many parts of India. Sixteen people were killed and several houses were destroyed in a landslide triggered by heavy rains in Kashmir.
Above: A Kashmiri villager inspects a damaged house following landslides in the village of Laden, in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
Above: A Kashmiri villager inspects a damaged house following landslides in the village of Laden, in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
Heavy rains triggered flooding in the Atacama region in northern Chile causing the Copiapo River to overflow its banks. According to the government, 17 people were killed and 20 are still missing.
Above: A man removes water from his shoe as he sits on a mining truck wheel in the city of Copiapo, Chile.
Above: A man removes water from his shoe as he sits on a mining truck wheel in the city of Copiapo, Chile.
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© AP Photo / Pablo Sanhueza
The rains which poured in Chile on Tuesday were the worst in 80 years to fall in the region, one of the driest on Earth. Floods caused massive power outages and blocked roads. Almost 11,000 people were affected.
Above: Homes are flooded with muddy water in Chanaral, Chile.
Above: Homes are flooded with muddy water in Chanaral, Chile.
