Cyclone Ianos

Cyclone Ianos, also known as Medicane Ianos, was a rare Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone (medicane), that impacted Greece on 17 and 18 September 2020. Ianos developed from an area of low pressure over the Gulf of Sidra that quickly began tropical cyclogenesis while moving over warm waters. After receiving various names from different meteorological centers, the storm, dubbed Ianos by the Greek Government, rapidly intensified while moving northeastward. After scraping Italy, the storm went on to strike Malta and Crete with tropical storm-force winds. Despite land interaction, the small cyclone reached its peak intensity of 120 km/h (75 mph) on 18 September, immediately before making landfall in southwestern Greece. After landfall, Ianos turned back out to sea and moved south-southeastward, before dissipating on 21 September.

Cyclone Ianos
Ianos at peak intensity, nearing landfall in Greece on 17 September.
TypeMediterranean tropical-like cyclone
Formed14 September 2020
Dissipated21 September 2020
Lowest pressure995 hPa (29.38 inHg)
Highest winds
Highest gust≥120 km/h (75 mph)
Damage≥ $200 million (2020 USD)[1]
≥ €164 million (2020 Euro)
Casualties4 dead, 1 missing
Areas affectedLibya, Italy, Malta, Greece, Crete, Cyrenaica

Damage was severe in Greece, with cities in the central part of the country getting the brunt of the storm's impacts. Cities such as Karditsa and Mouzaki were flooded for several days. Heavy agricultural damage was reported in rural areas north of Athens. A state of emergency was declared for the islands of Ithaca, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos. Four people were killed, and one person remains missing.[2][3] Ianos caused at least $100 million (2020 USD) in damages.[1]

Meteorological history

An upper-level low moved eastward in the southern Mediterranean Sea through September 14. On that day, a low-pressure area began to develop over the Gulf of Sidra, beginning tropical cyclogenesis by forming a warm core at the surface.[4] The cyclone quickly developed in the subsequent hours while slowly moving northwest with a wind speed of around 50 km/h (31 mph).[5] By 15 September, it had intensified to 65 km/h (40 mph), with a minimum pressure of 1,010 hPa (30 inHg), with further development predicted over the coming days. The cyclone had strong potential to become tropical over the next several days due to warm sea temperatures of 27 to 28 °C (81 to 82 °F) in the region. Weather models predicted that it would likely hit the west coast of Greece on 17 or 18 September. Ianos gradually intensified over the Mediterranean Sea, acquiring an eye-like feature. Ianos made landfall on Greece at peak intensity on 03:00 UTC on September 18, with winds peaking near 120 km/h (65 kn; 75 mph) and a minimum central pressure estimated at 995 hPa (29.4 inHg), equivalent to a minimal Category 1 hurricane.[5][6] After making landfall, Ianos turned south-southeastward on 19 September, moving back out to sea,[7] where the storm managed to reorganize somewhat. Soon afterward, Ianos underwent a weakening trend. Ianos continued moving south-southeastward for another couple of days before dissipating on 21 September, off the coast of Cyrenaica.[8][9]

Warmer sea surface temperatures caused by climate change in the Mediterranean Sea can allow the storms to take on more tropical appearances and characteristics, increasing the wind speeds and making the storms more intense.[10] A 2017 study in Global and Planetary Change led by Raquel Romera examined a large suite of regional climate model projections, which supported the theory that medicanes will gradually become stronger due to climate change.[11]

Preparations and impact
Subtropical Storm Alpha (left) and Medicane Ianos (right) both affecting Europe on 18 September.

As Ianos passed to the south of Italy on 16 September, it produced heavy rain across the southern part of the country and in Sicily. As much as 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain was reported in Reggio Calabria, more than the city's normal monthly rainfall.[12]

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service issued Red Alerts, the highest level of warnings, to alert people of the storm while it was approaching Greece.[13] Downed trees and power outages were reported on Kefalonia, and residents were urged to stay indoors. Wind gusts reached 111 km/h (69 mph) on Kefalonia and Zakynthos.[11] When Ianos stalled over the western part of Greece, it caused flash flooding and landslides. The peak official rainfall amount recorded was 142 mm (5.6 in), though the exact peak rainfall amount is claimed to be much higher than that.[6] Ianos left four people dead and one missing. On 19 September, a man was found dead on his farm north of Athens, while the body of a woman was recovered from her flooded home in a nearby town. On 20 September, the body of a 62-year-old farmer was found under the collapsed roof of his house in a village north of Athens.[2] In addition, a 43-year-old woman was found dead on 24 September after being declared missing on 20 September. The woman was swept several kilometres from her car by flash flooding.[3] More than 5,000 homes were damaged.[2] In addition, there were strong tides in Ionian islands such as Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca and Lefkada, and 120 km/h (75 mph) winds at Karditsa that brought down trees and power lines, and caused landslides. A bridge also collapsed in Karditsa, one of the hardest-hit areas.[14] Throughout the country, over 600 people were rescued by the national firefighting service.[15] Greece's cotton crop was ready for harvest, which was set to begin just as the storm hit. However, Ianos likely caused significant flooding and crop losses where rain was heaviest, especially in Thessalia.[6] Assos, in Kefalonia, was isolated from the rest of the island and the mainland. Nearly two metres (6.5 feet) of rubble covered roads, prohibiting access by car and trapping residents and tourists. Damage in Kefalonia totalled more than €50,000 ($58,555 USD).[16]

Aftermath and naming

On 20 September, the Public Power Corporation reported that 61 power substations were in operation in the urban zone of Karditsa, and another 10 would be powered shortly. Efforts were made to restore power in Argithea and Mouzaki. The top officials of the corporation met with the leader of the Karditsa Fire Department to coordinate and accelerate water pumping in areas where the technical crews needed to work.[17]

Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged that "all the affected areas will have immediate support." He sent three senior officials to the worst-hit central region.[2] On 22 September, Prime Minister Mitsotakis visited the Karditsa region, one of the hardest-hit regions. 5,000 to 8,000 euros were given to each household and business in Karditsa and Mouzaki.[18] In Mouzaki, Mayor Fanis Stathis declared that all schools and nurseries will remain closed, as Ianos damaged the road network, and school buildings of the region.[17]

Greece assigned the system the name "Ianos" (Ιανός),[19] sometimes anglicized to "Janus",[12] while the German weather service used the name "Udine";[20] the Turkish used "Tulpar", and the unofficial Mediterranean Cyclone Centre used "Cassilda".[21]

See also

References
  1. "Global Catastrophe Recap - September 2020" (PDF). Aon Benfield. 8 October 2020. p. 6. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  2. "Cyclone Ianos: Three dead as 'medicane' sweeps across Greece". BBC News. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  3. Wichmann, Anna (24 September 2020). "Woman Missing after Karditsa Flooding Found Dead". greece.greekreporter.com. Greek Reporter. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  4. Korošec, Marko (16 September 2020). "Severe Weather Outlook for Medicane Ianos – Sept 17–19th, 2020". severe-weather.eu. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  5. "A strong 'medicane' named Ianos is forecast to bring hurricane-like conditions to Greece". The Washington Post. 17 September 2020.
  6. Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (PDF). usda.library.cornell.edu (Report). 107. United States Department of Agriculture. 22 September 2020. p. 28. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  7. "Europe Weather Analysis on 2020-9-19". Free University of Berlin. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  8. "Europe Weather Analysis on 2020-9-20". Free University of Berlin. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  9. "Europe Weather Analysis on 2020-9-21". Free University of Berlin. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  10. "Storm Ianos: Three dead as rare 'medicane' batters Greece". www.aljazeera. AlJazeera. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  11. Masters, Jeff; Henson, Bob (18 September 2020). "A slew of weather events – including two named storms troubling Europe – pose challenges far and wide » Yale Climate Connections". Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  12. Kelly, Maura. "Storm Janus develops into medicane, will wallop Greece with flooding rain, strong winds". AccuWeather. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  13. "Medicane hits Greece". World Meteorological Organization. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  14. "Cyclone Ianos: Two dead as 'medicane' sweeps across Greece". BBC News. 19 September 2020.
  15. "Cyclone Ianos: Two dead and one missing after 'rare extreme weather phenomenon' hits Greece". euronews.com. 19 September 2020.
  16. "Kefalonia needs your help NOW after devastating hurricane-like storm". greekcitytimes.com. Greek City Times. 23 September 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  17. "Mitsotakis to Visit Karditsa after "Ianos" Hurricane Damage". thenationalherald.com. The National Herald (Greece). 20 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  18. Claus, Patricia (22 September 2020). "PM Mitsotakis Tours Devastated Karditsa Area, Promises Swift Aid". greece.greekreporter.com. Greek Reporter. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  19. Καραγιαννίδης, Α.; Λαγουβάρδος, Κ. (16 September 2020). "Οι πρώτες δορυφορικές εκτιμήσεις της ολικής βροχόπτωσης του ΙΑΝΟΥ" [The first satellite estimates of the total rainfall of IANOS]. Meteo.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  20. "Medicane UDINE über dem Ionischen Meer" [Medicane UDINE over the Ionian Sea]. www.dwd.de (in German). 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  21. "Helga van Leur" (in Dutch). 16 September 2020.
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