Mediterranean Storms: Medicane

Medicane, a term coined by combining the words “Mediterranean” and “hurricane,” refers to hurricanes that form over the Mediterranean Sea. Hurricanes with a force of 12 or higher on the Beaufort scale are called hurricanes, typhoons, or cyclones. This force corresponds to a speed of 65 knots/118 km/h.

As is well known, hurricanes derive their strength from the heat of the water mass over which they move. In recent years, the increase in average sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean has led to the strengthening of cyclones forming there and the more frequent occurrence of medicane storms.

The low pressure forming at our latitude is moving from west to east. The first medicane that formed in the eastern Mediterranean and was observed in our country was over 75 knots in 2018. The medicane, named “Zorba,” moved eastward and affected the southern coast of Greece.

On the other hand, the presence of numerous large and small landmasses in the Mediterranean makes it quite difficult to predict the path of the cyclones that form.
It appears that the increase in average sea surface temperatures will continue for some time,
and we will encounter medicane storms more frequently.

May your bow be clear and your wind favorable.