Mexico: Freak hail storm dumps two metres of ice on Guadalajara

The northern city has been experiencing summer temperatures above 30°C

Residents play on top of ice after a heavy storm of rain and hail which affected Guadalajara, Mexico. Reuters

A truck is buried in ice after a heavy storm of rain and hail which affected Guadalajara, Mexico . Reuters

A truck carries ice as it cleans the street after a heavy storm of rain and hail which affected Guadalajara, Mexico. Reuters

Residents play on top of ice after a heavy storm of rain and hail which affected Guadalajara, Mexico. Reuters

A woman and her dogs walk on hail in the eastern area of Guadalajara, Mexico. AFP

Aerial view of vehicles buried in hail in the streets in the eastern area of Guadalajara, Mexico. AFP

Vehicles buried in hail are seen in the streets in the eastern area of Guadalajara, Mexico. AFP

A man with a bike walks on hail in the eastern area of Guadalajara, Mexico. AFP

A woman and a child walk on hail in the eastern area of Guadalajara, Mexico. AFP

A man walks as hail covers the streets in Guadalajara, Mexico. EPA

People walk as hail covers the streets in Guadalajara, Mexico. EPA

A freak hail storm on Sunday struck Guadalajara, one of Mexico's most populous cities, shocking residents and trapping vehicles in a deluge of ice pellets up to two metres deep.

"I've never seen such scenes in Guadalajara," said state governor Enrique Alfaro.

"Then we ask ourselves if climate change is real. These are never-before-seen natural phenomenons," he said. "It's incredible."

Guadalajara, located north of Mexico City and with a population of around five million, has been experiencing summer temperature of around 31°C in recent days.

While seasonal hail storms do occur, there is no record of anything so heavy.

At least six neighbourhoods in the city outskirts woke up to ice pellets up to two metres deep.

While children scampered around and hurled iceballs at each other, Civil Protection personnel and soldiers brought out heavy machinery to clear the roads.

Nearly 200 homes and businesses reported hail damage, and at least 50 vehicles were swept away by the deluge of ice in hilly areas, some buried under piles of pellets.

While no casualties were reported, two people showed "early signs of hypothermia," the state Civil Protection office said.