Cyclone Zorbas

Cyclone Zorbas, or Medicane Zorbas, was the first officially documented Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone, or medicane, since Cyclone Numa in 2017. Zorbas originated as an extratropical cyclone in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.[1] Warm sea surface temperatures allowed the system to quickly deepen and transition into a tropical cyclone. Zorbas intensified as it headed northward towards Greece, finally reaching its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 987 mbar (29.15 inHg) on September 29.[2]

Cyclone Zorbas
Zorbas at peak intensity over the Ionian Sea
TypeMediterranean tropical-like cyclone
Formed27 September 2018
Dissipated2 October 2018
Highest winds
Highest gust75 mph (120 km/h)
Lowest pressure987 mb (29.15 inHg)
Fatalities6 dead, 2 missing
Damage> $1 million (2018 USD)
Areas affectedTunisia, Libya, Italy, Greece, Turkey

Heavy rain and flash flooding from Zorbas killed 5 people in Tunisia. One person was killed and two were declared missing in Greece.[3] The storm was estimated to have caused millions of dollars (2018 USD) in damages.[4]

Meteorological history

A first outlook about the possible development of a shallow warm-core cyclone in the Mediterranean was issued by ESTOFEX on 25 September 2018, and a second extended outlook was issued on 26 September 2018.[5][6] On 27 September 2018, an extratropical storm developed in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.[1] Water temperatures of around 27 °C (81 °F) supported the storm's transition into a hybrid cyclone, with a warm thermal core in the center. The storm moved northeastward toward Greece, gradually intensifying and developing characteristics of a tropical cyclone. On September 29, the storm made landfall at peak intensity in the Peloponnese, west of Kalamata, where a minimum central pressure of 989.3 mbar (29.21 inHg) was reported.[2] ESTOFEX reported on Zorbas as "Mediterranean Cyclone 2018M02", with the same pressure of 989 mbar (29.2 inHg) at Kalamata, further estimating the minimum central pressure of the cyclone to be 987 mbar (29.1 inHg), with one-minute maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a Dvorak number of T4.0, which all translate into marginal Category 1 hurricane characteristics for the cyclone.[7] Early on 1 October, Zorbas emerged into the Aegean Sea, while accelerating northeastward.[8] On 2 October, Zorbas moved over northwestern Turkey and dissipated.[9] A cold wake was observed in the Mediterranean Sea, with sea surface temperatures dropping 3–4 °C (5–7 °F) along the track of Zorbas due to strong upwelling.[10]

It is unknown who named the system Zorbas, but the name is officially recognized for a medicane by the Deutscher Wetterdienst.[11]

Effects

Greece

An indoor basketball stadium in Artemida, Attica, sustained damage to its roof during the storm, forcing the postponement of a game.[12] The neighborhoods surrounding the Profitis Ilias in Mikri Mantineia were left without electricity for over 20 days after extensive damage occurred to the power grid.[13] Strong waves damaged seaside businesses and flooded streets in Kalamata, Messinia.[14] Traffic along coastal roads from Kalamata to Filoxenia ceased during the storm.[15] In Navarinou, floodwaters swept chairs, tables, and umbrellas from beach vendors onto roads. In Methoni, a coastal highway and boats were damaged by high surf. Power outages occurred in Methoni, Koroni and Finikounda; crews worked to restore electricity on 29 September. Electricity was cut in West Mani and Pylos.[14]

The coastal village of Kiveri in Argolis, suffered severe damage as a result of strong waves from the storm and floodwaters from the overflowing Oxovrio river. A pier in the village's port suffered damage, and multiple ships sank there. Units from the Argos-Mykines municipality were dispatched to repair damage and clean up mud and debris that had been swept into the village. Several vessels sank offshore of Myloi. Severe agricultural losses occurred in the village of Skafidaki, with olives, pomegranates, oranges, and mandarins being the worst impacted. OSE lines in Mylos and Kiveri were damaged. Roadways were damaged throughout the municipality.[16]

The second floor of the Salamina Health Center flooded in Salamina city on Salamis Island after heavy rainfall entered through the roof and walls. Furniture, medical tools, and other items were floating in the floodwaters.[17]

Schools were closed in Karystos on 27 September. The Evripos bridge was closed on 26 September, and the Eretria-Oropos ferry was halted.[18]

On the island of Euboea, two elderly people and a 27-year-old man went missing during the storm. Restaurants and houses were damaged by floodwaters. Firefighters answered at least 534 calls for assistance. One couple was washed away by a water current, however, they were rescued by firefighters. The Peloponnese was placed under a state of emergency.[19]

Elsewhere

During its formative stages, the storm caused flash flooding in Tunisia and Libya.[20] The Tunisian government pledged financial assistance to residents whose homes were damaged.[21][22]

See also

References
  1. "Europe Weather Analysis on 2018-9-27". Free University of Berlin. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  2. Jeff Masters (29 September 2018). "Tropical Storm-Like Medicane Hits Greece". Weather Underground. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  3. Nick Austin (3 October 2018). "Cyclone floods parts of Greece, two people missing". FreightWaves. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  4. "Global Catastrophe Recap - September 2018" (PDF). Aon Benfield. 9 October 2018. p. 6. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  5. "Extended Forecast Tue 25 Sep 2018 19:50". ESTOFEX. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  6. "Extended Forecast Wed 26 Sep 2018 20:13". ESTOFEX. 26 September 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  7. "Mesoscale Discussion Sat 29 Sep 2018 12:29". ESTOFEX. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  8. "Europe Weather Analysis on 2018-10-01". Free University of Berlin. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  9. "Europe Weather Analysis on 2018-10-02". Free University of Berlin. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  10. "Medicane cools the waters of central Mediterranean to colder than average". Severe Weather Europe. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  11. "Europe Weather Analysis on 29 September 2018 00 UTC" (GIF). Free University of Berlin (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  12. "Πλημμύρισε από τη βροχή το κλειστό γυμναστήριο στα Σπάτα (φωτό)" [The indoor gym in Spata was flooded by the rain (photo)]. iRafina.gr (in Greek). 4 October 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  13. "Στα σκοτάδια η περιοχή του Προφήτη Ηλία στη Μ.Μαντίνεια" [The area of Profitis Ilias in M. Mantineia in the dark]. Messinia Live (in Greek). 22 October 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  14. "Μεσσηνία: Ο μεσογειακός κυκλώνας ένωσε τη θάλασσα με τη στεριά – Νέες εικόνες από Καλαμάτα, Κορώνη, Πύλο και Φοινικούντα – video" ["Zorbas" hits and… dances in Messinia (video and photo)]. NewsIt (in Greek). 29 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  15. "O "Ζορμπάς" χτυπά και… χορεύει στη Μεσσηνία (video και φωτο )" [Messinia: The Mediterranean cyclone united the sea with the land - New images from Kalamata, Koroni, Pylos and Finikounda - video]. Candiadoc (in Greek). 29 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  16. "Αργολίδα: Εικόνες αποκάλυψης στο Κιβέρι από το πέρασμα του «Ζορμπά»" [Argolida: Images of revelation in Kiveri from the passage of "Zorba"]. Zoogla (in Greek). 1 October 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  17. Efthymiadou, Dimitra (30 September 2018). "Ο Ζορμπάς χτύπησε και το Κέντρο Υγείας Σαλαμίνας! Πλημμύρισαν όλοι οι χώροι" [Zorbas also hit the Salamina Health Center! All areas were flooded]. Health Report (in Greek). Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  18. "Κλειστά τα σχολεία και στην Κάρυστο λόγω κακοκαιρίας" [Schools are also closed in Karystos due to bad weather]. Sportime (in Greek). 27 September 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  19. Κάσια, Χριστίνα (30 September 2018). "Θρίλερ με τρεις αγνοούμενους μετά το πέρασμα του "Ζορμπά" (ΒΙΝΤΕΟ&ΦΩΤΟ)" [Thriller with three missing after the passage of "Zorba" (VIDEO PHOTO)]. Alpha News Live (in Greek). Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  20. Elinda Labropoulou; Brandon Miller (29 September 2018). "'Medicane,' a rare, hurricane-like storm, is on track to hit Europe". CNN. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  21. Jonathan Belles (29 September 2018). "A Medicane Is Swirling in the Mediterranean Sea Into Greece: Here's What That Means". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  22. "Tunisia floods kill at least 4, cause major damage". Associated Press News. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
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