Heavy rainfall in the Mediterranean: “It’s really extreme”

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In Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Spain, extremely heavy and persistent rain and storms cause problems for people. “Within two to three days, there is as much precipitation as in some regions of Germany during the whole year,” says meteorologist Felix Dietzsch of the German Weather Service (DWD) of the German Press Office. “The situation is similar to that in the Ahr valley in 2021, only with a multiple of the amount of rain.” What is the reason for the extreme precipitation?

“It’s a random interaction of different factors,” explains Dietzsch. There is currently a tense general weather situation in Europe, a so-called Omega weather situation. Accordingly, there is a pronounced high-pressure area over Germany, around which the air flows, so to speak. “Low-pressure areas form on the southwestern and southeastern flanks of this high-pressure area. These are currently hitting Spain and Greece and are very stationary there – so they will stay for a long time.

‘Rainfall is rare’

In combination with a very moist, warm and unstable air mass, this leads to prolonged heavy rainfall in combination with thunderstorms. In addition, this connection encounters mountains that make it rain. “The amounts of rain are extremely rare, even in our known statistics. It’s really extreme.”

Due to the violent storms and torrential rain in Central Greece, people in the cities and regions particularly hard hit were asked not to leave their apartments and houses on Tuesday night. The massive water masses have already claimed human lives and wreaked havoc in the region of Thessaly, including the port city of Volos.

“Never seen”

Otherwise, such heavy rains do not occur, even in the rainier winter months. Meteorologists emphasize that they have “never seen” anything like this. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited civil protection on Tuesday to inquire about the situation.

There, the weather experts are said to have told him that it may already be the heaviest rainfall in Greece since records began – it should last until Thursday. The state weather service Meteo reported a rain record on Tuesday evening: In the village of Zagora, northeast of Volos, a rainfall of 754 millimeters per square meter was measured. For comparison: during the flooding of the Ahr valley in July 2021, precipitation fell between 100 and 200 millimeters per square meter.

Civil Defense warned that storm ‘Daniel’ should regain strength in the morning hours of Wednesday. And even on Thursday morning it should still rain heavily, thunderstorms and storms – right where it was so bad before, namely in Thessaly. The weather is not expected to calm down until Friday.

Bulgaria and Turkey are also affected

No, even though it rages the hardest there. There was also heavy rain and severe thunderstorms in Bulgaria and western Turkey. In Bulgaria, two people died on Tuesday on the southern coast of the Black Sea, while another three are missing. There were also two deaths in Turkey and four missing in Kirklareli province, near the Greek and Bulgarian borders. Authorities warned of further storms in western and southwest Turkey. It could lead to flash floods, lightning strikes and storms, the report said.

It can hardly be linked to climate change for a single event, but it is clear that heated air and high water temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea lead to more water evaporation. This water rains down elsewhere. In general, human-induced climate change is leading to more frequent extreme weather events. (SDA/neo)

Source: Blick