Climatological aspects of explosive cyclones in the Mediterranean

Kouroutzoglou, John; Flocas, Helena A.; Keay, Kevin; Simmonds, Ian; Hatzaki, Maria

doi:10.1002/joc.2203

Cited by 65 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 88 publications

(145 reference statements)

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“…Several others can also be mentioned, like the works done by Berenger (1955Berenger ( , 1960, among others). Still apart from MEDEX, since 1990 we can highlight Alpert et al (1990a, b), Flocas and Karacostas (1996), Trigo et al (1999Trigo et al ( , 2002, Flocas et al (2001Flocas et al ( , 2010, Maheras et al ( , 2002, and Kouroutzoglou et al (2011). It is also relevant to mention climatological MedCLIVAR work, partially done in collaboration with MEDEX (see Lionello et al, 2006, andUlbrich et al, 2012, for a review).…”

Section: Climatological Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the Mediterranean, several examples of intense cyclones associated with severe weather can be cited (Homar et al, 2002b;Hamadache et al, 2003;De Zolt et al, 2006;Genovés et al, 2006;Lagouvardos et al, 1996Lagouvardos et al, , 2007. It is almost obvious that severe weather has to accompany explosive cyclones, which are not so rare in the Mediterranean (Kouroutzoglou et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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MEDEX: a general overview

Jansà

Alpert

Arbogast

et al. 2014

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. The general objective of the international MEDiterranean EXperiment (MEDEX) was the better understanding and forecasting of cyclones that produce high impact weather in the Mediterranean. This paper reviews the motivation and foundation of MEDEX, the gestation, history and organisation of the project, as well as the main products and scientific achievements obtained from it. MEDEX obtained the approval of World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and can be considered as framed within other WMO actions, such as the ALPine EXperiment (ALPEX), the Mediterranean Cyclones Study Project (MCP) and, to a certain extent, THe Observing System Research and Predictability EXperiment (THORPEX) and the HYdrological cycle in Mediterranean EXperiment (HyMeX). Through two phases (2000-2005 and 2006-2010), MEDEX has produced a specific database, with information about cyclones and severe or high impact weather events, several main reports and a specific data targeting system field campaign (DTS-MEDEX-2009). The scientific achievements are significant in fields like climatology, dynamical understanding of the physical processes and social impact of cyclones, as well as in aspects related to the location of sensitive zones for individual cases, the climatology of sensitivity zones and the improvement of the forecasts through innovative methods like mesoscale ensemble prediction systems.

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Section: Climatological Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MEDEX: a general overview

Jansà

Alpert

Arbogast

et al. 2014

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

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“…Explosive cyclogenesis in the Mediterranean is a rather rare phenomenon that occurs mainly from November to March, preferentially along the northern Mediterranean coast (Kouroutzoglou et al 2011a(Kouroutzoglou et al , b, 2013a. The phenomenon is characterized by heavy rainfall and gusty winds frequently associated with serious social and economic impacts on coastal touristic regions (Lionello et al 2006;Homar et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

On the dynamics of a case study of explosive cyclogenesis in the Mediterranean

Kouroutzoglou

Flocas

Hatzaki

et al. 2014

Meteorol Atmos Phys

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In this study, a case of explosive cyclogenesis over the central Mediterranean is examined with the aid of the MS Cyclone Detection and Tracking Scheme along with the Vertical Tracing Software and the Parcel Trajectory Software that were developed in Melbourne University, employing a regular 0.5°9 0.5°latitude-longitude grid of the ERA-Interim dataset. It is found that the explosive cyclogenesis occurred as a result of the downward intrusion of high-PV cold stratospheric air into the upper troposphere combined with a low-level warm environment surrounded by the bent-back structure of the cold front in the poleward side of a jet streak. The positive effect of the diabatic processes in explosive cyclogenesis is demonstrated. When cold air masses cross the warmer sea of the central Mediterranean, positive surface sensible and latent heat fluxes generate a low-level warm and moist environment, favorable for convective activity.

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“…Evaluation of the MS scheme has demonstrated its efficiency for both the detection of individual tracks as well as its effectiveness in providing cyclone climatologies (Flocas et al, 2010;Leonard et al, 1999;Simmonds and Murray, 1999). While the MS scheme is capable of identifying cyclones in a range of locations with different characteristics, it has previously been employed in the eastern Mediterranean for the identification and analysis of cyclones (Flocas et al, 2010) and explosive cyclones' characteristics (Kouroutzoglou et al, 2011a).…”

Section: Iordanidou Et Al: Cyclones Related To Precipitation In Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An evaluation of the structure and variability of cyclones affecting the eastern Mediterranean region for the 1962-2001 40 year period was performed by Flocas et al (2010), using the MS scheme, verifying considerable intermonthly variations for eastern Mediterranean track density. For the same period and using the same scheme, (Kouroutzoglou et al, 2011a) investigated the characteristics and behavior of Mediterranean explosive cyclones as well as their vertical structure . Furthermore, Maheras et al (2001) and Bartholy et al (2008) identified and analyzed the synopticscale cyclones that occurred in the Mediterranean region for the periods 1958-1997 and 1957-2002, respectively, focusing on the frequency of occurrence, location, genesis and seasonal variations.…”

Section: Iordanidou Et Al: Cyclones Related To Precipitation In Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mediterranean cyclone characteristics related to precipitation occurrence in Crete, Greece

Iordanidou

Koutroulis

Tsanis

2015

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. The characteristics of the cyclone tracks that caused precipitation events of variable intensity for the period 1979-2011 over the island of Crete are presented. The data set used for cyclone identification is the 0.5 • × 0.5 • , 30 years European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA-Interim mean sea-level pressure. Cyclone characteristics are calculated with the aid of the Melbourne University algorithm (MS scheme). Daily precipitation data from a dense gauging network over the island of Crete are also used for the classification of the precipitation events in terms of rain accumulation (intensity). Daily precipitation is classified in three categories and the associated cyclones are chosen according to their distance from Crete island. The seasonal and annual cycle of the physical characteristics of the cyclone tracks are investigated with respect to the cyclones' relative position to the island of Crete. It was found that cyclones affecting Crete most frequently approach from the western side of the island and the actual cyclone centers associated with precipitation events are usually located northwest and southeast of the Crete domain. Cycloneinduced rainfall increases in function to cyclones' depth, radius and propagation velocity increase as well as cyclones' pressure decrease. Spring cyclones that affect Crete with rainfall present lower pressures and higher cyclone propagation velocity in contrast to the ones associated with winter and autumn precipitation events. The examination of the relation between cyclone characteristics and precipitation occurrence provides valuable information related to forecasting potential and management of the water resources and the rainfall extremes.

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Climatological aspects of explosive cyclones in the Mediterranean

Abstract: An objective climatology of explosive cyclones is performed over a 40-year period

Cited by 65 publications

References 88 publications

MEDEX: a general overview

MEDEX: a general overview

On the dynamics of a case study of explosive cyclogenesis in the Mediterranean

Mediterranean cyclone characteristics related to precipitation occurrence in Crete, Greece

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