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==Origin and local sub futures{{clarify}}==
==Origin and local sub futures{{clarify}}==


About once or twice per year,<ref>http://www.uib.es/depart/dfs/meteorologia/METEOROLOGIA/ANGEL/ProceedingEUMETSAT07.pdf</ref><ref>ftp://texmex.mit.edu/pub/emanuel/PAPERS/Romero_Emanuel_2013.pdf</ref> usually during fall when the Mediterranean is still warm, a [[Low-pressure area|depression]] takes on the characteristics of a subtropical storm with clouds wrapped around an eye, intense [[thunderstorm]] activity, strong surface winds, and warm temperature in the center clouds. In a satellite image such a system can resemble a tropical storm, but without the dimensions or power. One example is a Medicane that threatened [[France]] from November 1, 2011 to November 9, 2011 and produced up to 800 mm of rain.<ref>http://www.meteo.fr/cic/meetings/2012/ERAD/presentations/thursday/13A-4.pdf</ref> Many other storms have been classified as Medicanes.<ref>http://scienceandworldevents.wikia.com/wiki/Mediterranean_tropical_cyclone</ref>
About once or twice per year,<ref>http://www.uib.es/depart/dfs/meteorologia/METEOROLOGIA/ANGEL/ProceedingEUMETSAT07.pdf</ref><ref>ftp://texmex.mit.edu/pub/emanuel/PAPERS/Romero_Emanuel_2013.pdf</ref> usually during fall when the Mediterranean is still warm, a [[Low-pressure area|depression]] takes on the characteristics of a subtropical storm with clouds wrapped around an eye, intense [[thunderstorm]] activity, strong surface winds, and warm temperature in the center clouds. In a satellite image such a system can resemble a tropical storm, but without the dimensions or power. One example is a Medicane that threatened [[France]] from November 1, 2011 to November 9, 2011 and produced up to 800 mm of rain.<ref>http://www.meteo.fr/cic/meetings/2012/ERAD/presentations/thursday/13A-4.pdf</ref> Many other storms have been classified as Medicanes.<ref>http://scienceandworldevents.wikia.com/wiki/Mediterranean_tropical_cyclone</ref>{{Verify credibility|date=December 2013}}
[[File:Mediterranean Hurricane TLC dic 2005.jpg|right|thumb|Satellite image of a December Medicane from 2005]]
[[File:Mediterranean Hurricane TLC dic 2005.jpg|right|thumb|Satellite image of a December Medicane from 2005]]



Revision as of 19:49, 15 December 2013

Satellite image of a Medicane from 1995

A Medicane is a subtropical or tropical cyclonic storm system similar to a hurricane that occurs over the Mediterranean Sea. Medicanes do not usually reach hurricane strength, but may produce substantial damage because of their location near highly populated areas around the Mediterranean.[1] Although the Mediterranean is not an officially designated tropical cyclone basin, cyclones having properties of a tropical cyclone occasionally form in the mid-latitudes and on rare occasions over the Black Sea.[2][3][4] A medicane is small, has an axisymmetric cloud structure, generates strong winds, heavy rains, and thunderstorms. This phenomenon has often been named "Medicane" or "Tropical-like Mediterranean Storm (T.M.S.)".

Origin and local sub futures[clarification needed]

About once or twice per year,[5][6] usually during fall when the Mediterranean is still warm, a depression takes on the characteristics of a subtropical storm with clouds wrapped around an eye, intense thunderstorm activity, strong surface winds, and warm temperature in the center clouds. In a satellite image such a system can resemble a tropical storm, but without the dimensions or power. One example is a Medicane that threatened France from November 1, 2011 to November 9, 2011 and produced up to 800 mm of rain.[7] Many other storms have been classified as Medicanes.[8][unreliable source?]

Satellite image of a December Medicane from 2005

Most Medicanes form in the western Mediterranean region, although some form in the Ionian region.[9] In fall there is a steady increase in Medicane formation in the western Mediterranean region and a decrease in January; in the Ionian region it is the reverse - Medicanes are much less frequent in fall than in January or February.[10]

Evolution and life cycle

Medicanes usually have a life cycle between 12 hours and 5 days and travel between ~700 and ~3,000 km.[11] Although similar to tropical cyclones in the Caribbean or the Atlantic, their evolution is different. Unlike hurricanes, which often evolve from a tropical wave, Medicanes often develop from a cold upper-level low.[12] In the first phase there is a baroclinic development. The second phase is much more like a convective tropical air-sea interaction[13] with sea temperatures above 26°C (78.8°F).

References