Cyclone Zorbas

{{Storm path|Zorbas 2018 track.png}}

A first outlook about the possible development of a shallow warm-core cyclone in the Mediterranean was issued by ESTOFEX on 25 September 2018, and a second extended outlook was issued on 26 September 2018.{{cite web|date=25 September 2018|access-date=5 October 2018|publisher=ESTOFEX|url = http://www.estofex.org/cgi-bin/polygon/showforecast.cgi?text=yes&fcstfile=2018092806_201809251950_0_extendedforecast.xml|title=Extended Forecast Tue 25 Sep 2018 19:50}}{{cite web|date=26 September 2018|access-date=5 October 2018|publisher=ESTOFEX|url = http://www.estofex.org/cgi-bin/polygon/showforecast.cgi?text=yes&fcstfile=2018092906_201809262013_1_extendedforecast.xml|title=Extended Forecast Wed 26 Sep 2018 20:13}} On 27 September 2018, an extratropical storm developed in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.{{cite web |url = http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20180927.gif |title = Europe Weather Analysis on 2018-9-27 |author= |publisher=Free University of Berlin |date=27 September 2018 |access-date=29 September 2018}} Water temperatures of around {{convert|27|C|F}} supported the storm's transition into a hybrid cyclone, with a warm thermal core in the center. The storm moved northeastward toward Greece, gradually intensifying and developing characteristics of a tropical cyclone. On September 29, the storm made landfall at peak intensity in the Peloponnese, west of Kalamata, where a minimum central pressure of {{convert|989.3|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} was reported.{{cite web |author=Jeff Masters |date=29 September 2018 |access-date=29 September 2018 |publisher=Weather Underground |url = https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/Tropical-Storm-Medicane-Hits-Greece |title=Tropical Storm-Like Medicane Hits Greece}} ESTOFEX reported on Zorbas as "Mediterranean Cyclone 2018M02", with the same pressure of {{convert|989|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} at Kalamata, further estimating the minimum central pressure of the cyclone to be {{convert|987|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}, with one-minute maximum sustained winds of {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} and a Dvorak number of T4.0, which all translate into marginal Category 1 hurricane characteristics for the cyclone.{{cite web |date=29 September 2018 |access-date=5 October 2018 |publisher=ESTOFEX |url = http://www.estofex.org/cgi-bin/polygon/showforecast.cgi?text=yes&fcstfile=2018092921_201809291229_0_mesoscalediscussion.xml |title=Mesoscale Discussion Sat 29 Sep 2018 12:29}} Early on 1 October, Zorbas emerged into the Aegean Sea, while accelerating northeastward.{{cite web |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20181001.gif |title=Europe Weather Analysis on 2018-10-01 |author= |publisher=Free University of Berlin |date=1 October 2018 |access-date=3 October 2018 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831201807/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20181001.gif |url-status=dead }} On 2 October, Zorbas moved over northwestern Turkey and dissipated.{{cite web |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20181002.gif |title=Europe Weather Analysis on 2018-10-02 |author= |publisher=Free University of Berlin |date=2 October 2018 |access-date=3 October 2018 |archive-date=1 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901022040/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20181002.gif |url-status=dead }} A cold wake was observed in the Mediterranean Sea, with sea surface temperatures dropping {{convert|3|-|4|C-change|F-change|0|abbr=on}} along the track of Zorbas due to strong upwelling.{{cite web |title=Medicane cools the waters of central Mediterranean to colder than average |url = http://www.severe-weather.eu/event-analysis/medicane-cools-the-waters-of-central-mediterranean-to-colder-than-average/ |publisher=Severe Weather Europe |access-date=8 October 2018 |date=5 October 2018}}

It is unknown who named the system Zorbas, but the name is officially recognized for a medicane by the Deutscher Wetterdienst.{{cite web |title=Europe Weather Analysis on 29 September 2018 00 UTC |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20180929.gif |access-date=29 September 2018 |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |website=Free University of Berlin |language=de |format=GIF |date=29 September 2018 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831201735/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20180929.gif |url-status=dead }}

An indoor basketball stadium in Artemida, Attica, sustained damage to its roof during the storm, forcing the postponement of a game.{{cite news |title=Πλημμύρισε από τη βροχή το κλειστό γυμναστήριο στα Σπάτα (φωτό) |trans-title=The indoor gym in Spata was flooded by the rain (photo)|url=https://www.irafina.gr/plimmirise-apo-ti-vrochi-klisto-gimnastirio-sta-spata-foto/ |access-date=17 September 2021 |work=iRafina.gr |date=4 October 2018 |language=el}} The neighborhoods surrounding the Profitis Ilias in Mikri Mantineia were left without electricity for over 20 days after extensive damage occurred to the power grid.{{cite news |title=Στα σκοτάδια η περιοχή του Προφήτη Ηλία στη Μ.Μαντίνεια |trans-title=The area of Profitis Ilias in M. Mantineia in the dark|url=https://www.messinialive.gr/sta-skotadia-periochi-tou-profiti-ilia-sti-m-mantineia/|access-date=17 September 2021 |work=Messinia Live |date=22 October 2018 |language=el}} Strong waves damaged seaside businesses and flooded streets in Kalamata, Messinia. Traffic along coastal roads from Kalamata to Filoxenia ceased during the storm.{{cite news |title=O "Ζορμπάς" χτυπά και… χορεύει στη Μεσσηνία (video και φωτο ) |trans-title=Messinia: The Mediterranean cyclone united the sea with the land - New images from Kalamata, Koroni, Pylos and Finikounda - video|url=https://www.candiadoc.gr/2018/09/29/o-quot-zormpas-quot-chtypa-kai-choreyei-sti-messinia-video-kai-foto/ |access-date=21 September 2021 |work=Candiadoc |date=29 September 2018 |language=el}} In Navarinou, floodwaters swept chairs, tables, and umbrellas from beach vendors onto roads. In Methoni, a coastal highway and boats were damaged by high surf. Power outages occurred in Methoni, Koroni and Finikounda; crews worked to restore electricity on 29 September. Electricity was cut in West Mani and Pylos.{{cite news |title=Μεσσηνία: Ο μεσογειακός κυκλώνας ένωσε τη θάλασσα με τη στεριά – Νέες εικόνες από Καλαμάτα, Κορώνη, Πύλο και Φοινικούντα – video |url=https://www.newsit.gr/topikes-eidhseis/messinia-o-mesogeiakos-kyklonas-enose-ti-thalassa-me-ti-steria-nees-eikones-apo-kalamata-koroni-pylo-kai-foinikounta-video/2626358/ |trans-title="Zorbas" hits and… dances in Messinia (video and photo)|access-date=17 September 2021 |work=NewsIt |date=29 September 2018 |language=el}}

The coastal village of Kiveri in Argolis, suffered severe damage as a result of strong waves from the storm and floodwaters from the overflowing Oxovrio river. A pier in the village's port suffered damage, and multiple ships sank there. Units from the Argos-Mykines municipality were dispatched to repair damage and clean up mud and debris that had been swept into the village. Several vessels sank offshore of Myloi. Severe agricultural losses occurred in the village of Skafidaki, with olives, pomegranates, oranges, and mandarins being the worst impacted. OSE lines in Mylos and Kiveri were damaged. Roadways were damaged throughout the municipality.{{cite news |title=Αργολίδα: Εικόνες αποκάλυψης στο Κιβέρι από το πέρασμα του «Ζορμπά» |url=https://www.zougla.gr/greece/article/argolida-ikones-apokalipsis-sto-kiveri-apo-to-perasma-tou-zormpa |trans-title=Argolida: Images of revelation in Kiveri from the passage of "Zorba"|access-date=19 September 2021 |work=Zoogla |date=1 October 2018 |language=el}}

The second floor of the Salamina Health Center flooded in Salamina city on Salamis Island after heavy rainfall entered through the roof and walls. Furniture, medical tools, and other items were floating in the floodwaters.{{cite news |last1=Efthymiadou |first1=Dimitra |title=Ο Ζορμπάς χτύπησε και το Κέντρο Υγείας Σαλαμίνας! Πλημμύρισαν όλοι οι χώροι |url=https://www.healthreport.gr/%CE%BF-%CE%B6%CE%BF%CF%81%CE%BC%CF%80%CE%AC%CF%82-%CF%87%CF%84%CF%8D%CF%80%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B5-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%BA%CE%AD%CE%BD%CF%84%CF%81%CE%BF-%CF%85%CE%B3%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82/ |trans-title=Zorbas also hit the Salamina Health Center! All areas were flooded|access-date=20 September 2021 |work=Health Report |date=30 September 2018 |language=el}}

Schools were closed in Karystos on 27 September. The Evripos bridge was closed on 26 September, and the Eretria-Oropos ferry was halted.{{cite news |title=Κλειστά τα σχολεία και στην Κάρυστο λόγω κακοκαιρίας |trans-title=Schools are also closed in Karystos due to bad weather|url=https://www.sportime.gr/extratime/koinonia/kleista-ta-scholeia-kai-stin-karysto-logo-kakokairias/ |access-date=15 October 2021 |work=Sportime |date=27 September 2018 |language=el}}

On the island of Euboea, two elderly people and a 27-year-old man went missing during the storm. Restaurants and houses were damaged by floodwaters. Firefighters answered at least 534 calls for assistance. One couple was washed away by a water current, however, they were rescued by firefighters. The Peloponnese was placed under a state of emergency.{{cite news |last1=Κάσια |first1=Χριστίνα |title=Θρίλερ με τρεις αγνοούμενους μετά το πέρασμα του "Ζορμπά" (ΒΙΝΤΕΟ&ΦΩΤΟ) |trans-title=Thriller with three missing after the passage of "Zorba" (VIDEO PHOTO)|url=https://www.alphanews.live/greece/thriler-me-treis-agnooymenoys-meta-perasma-toy-zormpa-binteophoto |access-date=15 October 2021 |work=Alpha News Live |date=30 September 2018 |language=el}}

During its formative stages, the storm caused flash flooding in Tunisia and Libya.{{cite news |publisher=CNN |title='Medicane,' a rare, hurricane-like storm, is on track to hit Europe |author=Elinda Labropoulou |author2=Brandon Miller |date=29 September 2018 |access-date=29 September 2018 |url = https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/27/world/medicane-mediterranean-hurricane-europe-wxc/index.html}} The Tunisian government pledged financial assistance to residents whose homes were damaged.{{cite web |title=A Medicane Is Swirling in the Mediterranean Sea Into Greece: Here's What That Means |author=Jonathan Belles |publisher=The Weather Channel |date=29 September 2018 |access-date=29 September 2018 |url=https://weather.com/news/weather/news/2018-09-28-mediterranean-medicane-hurricane-greece-turkey |archive-date=29 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929194622/https://weather.com/news/weather/news/2018-09-28-mediterranean-medicane-hurricane-greece-turkey |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |work=Associated Press News |title=Tunisia floods kill at least 4, cause major damage |url = https://apnews.com/dfddd2fd48384414a4f66eba6fd94609 |date=23 September 2018 |access-date=29 September 2018}}

{{portal|Tropical cyclone|Greece}}

• Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone
• Tropical cyclones in 2018
• Tropical cyclones and climate change
• Tropical Storm Rolf (2011) – the first tropical storm in the Mediterranean to be recognized by an international agency
• Cyclone Qendresa (2014) – one of the strongest Mediterranean tropical cyclones ever recorded
• Hurricane Leslie (2018) – a cyclone in the East Atlantic that impacted Portugal as an extratropical cyclone about two weeks after Zorbas affected Greece
• Cyclone Ianos (2020) – another medicane that mainly affected Greece

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• [http://www.emy.gr/emy/en/ Hellenic National Meteorological Service]
• [http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/imagery/neatl.html Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Imagery] – NOAA
• {{cite journal|author1=Raphael Portmann|author2=Juan Jesús González-Alemán|author3=Michael Sprenger|author4=Heini Wernli|title=How an uncertain short-wave perturbation on the North Atlantic wave guide affects the forecast of an intense Mediterranean cyclone (Medicane Zorbas)|journal=Weather and Climate Dynamics|publisher=European Geosciences Union|date=19 October 2020|volume=1|issue=2|pages=597–615|url=https://wcd.copernicus.org/articles/1/597/2020/|doi=10.5194/wcd-1-597-2020|bibcode = 2020WCD.....1..597P|doi-access=free|hdl=20.500.11850/456727|hdl-access=free}}
• {{cite journal|author1=Raphael Portmann|author2=Juan Jesús González-Alemán|author3=Michael Sprenger|author4=Heini Wernli|title=Medicane Zorbas: Origin and impact of an uncertain potential vorticity streamer|journal=Weather and Climate Dynamics|publisher=European Geosciences Union|date=28 August 2019|volume=1|issue=1|pages=|url=https://wcd.copernicus.org/preprints/wcd-2019-1/wcd-2019-1.pdf|doi=10.5194/wcd-2019-1|bibcode = |doi-access=free}}

{{Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zorbas}}

Category:2018 in Greece

Category:Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones

Category:September 2018 in Europe

Category:October 2018 in Europe

Category:Tropical cyclones in 2018