Hailstones the size of ping pong balls came crashing down near Naples, Italy late yesterday  in a storm that injured several people and animals.

It also damaged some vehicles.

The storm caused panic in many areas of the city as hailstones measuring well over 5cm in diameter came hurtling out of the sky with enough force to smash windows, roof tiles and car windscreens.

According to meteorologists for weather.com, the storm was brought on by a vigourous southward plunge of the jet stream that carved into western Europe, sending a potent upper disturbance into the Italian peninsula.

That instability then charged up thunderstorms over the Mediterranean Sea, which swept into Italy.

Thundery showers are forecast in Malta on Wednesday, but there is a chance of showers between tomorrow and Thursday.

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