In recent years the Mediterranean region has experienced a small but notable set of storms that resemble tropical hurricanes. When these systems develop over the sea they are commonly called medicanes, a mashup of the words Mediterranean and hurricane. Such storms can impact countries around the basin, including Spain, and they are tied to shifts in regional climate. Scientists warn that warmer waters could make these events more frequent and intense over time.
In Libya this week, a powerful weather event known as Storm Daniel triggered flash floods and caused widespread damage. Rainfall totals reached extreme levels, with estimates around 170 millimeters in some areas. Experts say these downpours fit with broader changes in the climate system, where warmer seas fuel stronger convective storms in the western and central Mediterranean. A noted climate scientist observed that climate change appears to be increasing rainfall associated with these storm types, highlighting the links between regional warming and hydro meteorological extremes.
Medicanes are typically smaller than their tropical counterparts. They usually reach the strength of a category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale and can produce winds roughly between 119 and 153 kilometers per hour. Despite their smaller size, these storms can bring heavy rain, floods, and power outages, especially when they interact with land and rugged coastlines.
Most medicanes begin to form in autumn when sea surface temperatures stay warm. Across the western Mediterranean a warm surface layer combines with cooler air aloft to create rising warm air that wraps around a developing low pressure center. This setup can produce a circular motion and an eye-like feature visible in satellite imagery, much like larger tropical systems seen elsewhere. The process involves a complex interplay of ocean warmth, atmospheric instability, and regional wind patterns.
Occurrences, Paths, and Notable Events
Meteorological agencies document that medicanes form a couple of times each year on average. While traditional hurricanes typically move from east to west in the Atlantic, Mediterranean storms often travel in the opposite direction as they organize and progress along the rim of the sea. Greece saw several notable medicanes between 2016 and 2018, and Spain reported a medicane affecting areas between the Balearic Islands and the Algerian coast in 2019. The storm named Ianos in Greece during September 2020 produced wind speeds around 120 kilometers per hour and caused floods, landslides, and outages. Sicily also experienced a medicane in 2021, underscoring the broad geographic reach of these events. These episodes illustrate the balance between sea temperatures, atmospheric forcing, and regional geography that can yield powerful weather even in a sea not typically associated with large tropical cyclones.
Experts emphasize that rising sea temperatures due to human-caused climate change are expected to heighten the severity of extreme storms, including medicanes. Yet predicting exact patterns remains challenging because these systems are shaped by a mix of oceanic and atmospheric conditions that can vary from year to year. Scientists continue to study how warming oceans, air temperature gradients, and humidity interact to shape the frequency and intensity of these storms.
Recent research points to the role of surface warming in the Eastern Mediterranean and nearby Atlantic waters. Temperatures there have reached record highs in the summer months when heat waves grip Europe. Such warmth can feed stronger convective cells and influence the development of medicanes. Climate researchers note that the overall heat imbalance created by human activity has added energy to the climate system, potentially elevating the chances of heavy rainfall and intense gusts associated with these storms. The consensus among scientists remains that ongoing monitoring and robust modeling are essential to anticipate impacts and improve preparedness for communities around the basin.
For residents and authorities, understanding medicanes means recognizing that even though these storms are smaller, they can still pose substantial risk. Preparedness involves accurate weather monitoring, timely forecasts, and public communication that helps safeguard lives and infrastructure. As climate trends unfold, coastal regions in Europe and North Africa may experience more frequent medicane like events, making resilience and adaptation a shared priority across nations. Researchers and policymakers agree that continued data collection and interdisciplinary collaboration are keys to meeting these evolving challenges.
Note: The discussion above reflects findings from climate scientists and meteorologists who study storm formation in the Mediterranean. Observations are based on historical patterns, satellite analysis, and field measurements that contribute to a growing understanding of how a warming climate reshapes regional weather extremes.
For further reading and context, researchers cite NOAA, European meteorological services, and academic institutions that publish ongoing assessments of medicanes and climate related flood risks in the region.