Storm Blas
{{Short description|October 2021 European windstorm in Europe}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox storm
| name = Storm Blas
| image = Blas 2021-11-14 1201Z.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Storm Blas impacting Sardinia, at 12:01 UTC on 14 November
| type = Extratropical cyclone
Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone
| formed = 5 November 2021
| dissipated = 18 November 2021
| 1-min winds =
| gusts = {{convert|140|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} at Cap Bear, France
| maximum snow = Unknown
| maximum rain = {{convert|118.8|mm|in|abbr=on}} in Escorca, Son Torrella
| power outages = Unknown
| fatalities = 9 total
| damages = $1 Million (US$)
| areas affected = Spain (Balearic Islands, east coast of Spain), Algeria, France, Italy, Central Europe
| partof = 2021–22 European windstorm season
}}
Storm Blas was a small extratropical cyclone and Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone that caused devastation and disruption across the Balearic Islands, Spain, France, and Italy during early and mid-November 2021. The storm was named by Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) on 5 November, with the agency issuing wind and rain alerts to the Balearic archipelago and other areas reaching the eastern coasts of Spain, as Blas approached from the east. It then turned eastward after moving slowly westward, and the storm meandered across the western Mediterranean for the next several days, before eventually dissipating to the west of Italy on 18 November.
Heavy rainfall and gusty winds impacted the Balearic Islands as a result of Blas, with trees being damaged and many water basins overflowing. A rescue was conducted on 10 November in Mallorca for a stranded crew member of a sailboat. No deaths were reported on the island, but the storm brought property damages on the archipelago. Algeria was also affected by the storm, with numerous landslides being documented over the country, especially Algiers. Six fatalities were reported in the region, with two additional people being injured. Three more deaths occurred in Sicily, along with reported heavy wind gusts in France. A total of 9 deaths were reported from the storm and $1 Million Damage (US$)
Meteorological history
Blas originated from an extratropical low of the coast of Algeria on 5 November. At 10:15 UTC that same day, Blas was named by the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), due to the potential for the storm to bring strong wind gusts to the Balearic Islands.{{Cite news|title=Borrasca Blas|language=es|trans-title=Storm Blas|work=Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET)|url=https://www.aemet.es/es/web/conocermas/borrascas/2021-2022/estudios_e_impactos/blas|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119075655/https://www.aemet.es/es/web/conocermas/borrascas/2021-2022/estudios_e_impactos/blas|url-status=live}} However, the weather map of the Free University of Berlin (FUB), along with satellite imagery available at that time indicated that the storm had no evident circulation at that time.{{cite web |title=Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-11-05 |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211105.gif |website=Institut für Meteorologie |publisher=Free University of Berlin (FUB) |access-date=November 19, 2021 |date=November 5, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119075630/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211105.gif |url-status=live}} According to AEMET, the storm formed from the process of "Mediterranean cyclogenesis" from a trough that crossed through the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. On the next day, a synoptic map published by the FUB indicated that Blas had become better-defined between the Balearic Islands and the island of Sardinia.{{cite web |title=Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-11-06 |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211106.gif |website=Institut für Meteorologie |publisher=Free University of Berlin (FUB) |access-date=November 19, 2021 |date=November 6, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119075630/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211106.gif |url-status=live }} For the next three days, Blas slowly moved west-southwestward, affecting the Balearic Archipelago and the nearby Algeria. On 8 November, Blas initiated a slow clockwise loop for the next five days, looping towards Corsica and then back towards the Balearic Islands, while gradually strengthening. A peak pressure of {{convert|1010|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} was reported by the FUB's weather map on 8–9 November, with the storm peaking on 10 November.{{cite web |title=Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-11-08 |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211107.gif |website=Institut für Meteorologie |publisher=Free University of Berlin (FUB) |access-date=November 19, 2021 |date=November 7, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119075630/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211107.gif |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-11-08 |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211108.gif |website=Institut für Meteorologie |publisher=Free University of Berlin (FUB) |access-date=November 19, 2021 |date=November 8, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119075631/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211108.gif |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-11-09 |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211109.gif |website=Institut für Meteorologie |publisher=Free University of Berlin (FUB) |access-date=November 19, 2021 |date=November 9, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119075632/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211109.gif |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-11-09 |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211110.gif |website=Institut für Meteorologie |publisher=Free University of Berlin (FUB) |access-date=November 19, 2021 |date=November 10, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119075633/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211110.gif |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-11-11 |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211111.gif |website=Institut für Meteorologie |publisher=Free University of Berlin (FUB) |access-date=November 19, 2021 |date=November 11, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119075633/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Prognose_20211111.gif |url-status=live }} Around 11 November, Blas exhibited compact convection over its center, resembling a tropical cyclone in appearance, though this was short-lived.{{cite web |last1=Blašković |first1=Teo |title=Medistorm "Helios" (Blas) forms over the island of Palma, Spain |url=https://watchers.news/2021/11/11/medistorm-helios-blas-palma-spain-november-2021/ |website=The Watchers |access-date=13 November 2021 |date=11 November 2021}} On 12 November, Blas' center split into two lows, though they recombined by the next day.{{cite web |language=de |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211111.gif |title=Europe Weather Map on 2021-11-11 |publisher=Free University of Berlin |date=11 November 2021 |access-date=24 November 2021 |archive-date=11 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111111324/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211111.gif |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |language=de |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211112.gif |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124224742/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211112.gif |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 November 2021 |title=Europe Weather Map on 2021-11-12 |publisher=Free University of Berlin |date=12 November 2021 |access-date=24 November 2021 }} The AEMET noted that Blas continued moving towards the east, moving across the Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian Sea, where it caused impacts that were described by the agency as "important". On 13 November, the storm developed a spiral structure similar to those of tropical cyclones while situated near the Balearic Islands,{{cite web|url=https://www.cazatormentas.net/algunas-lluvias-en-canarias-y-el-pseudo-medicane-blas/|title=Algunas lluvias en Canarias y el pseudo medicane Blas|trans-title=Some rains in the Canary Islands and the pseudo medicane Blas|language=es|author=|publisher=Caztormentas|date=13 November 2021|accessdate=24 November 2021}} and the storm also shed its frontal structure. The storm then slowly weakened while executing another clockwise loop, with the storm moving southeastward.{{cite web |language=de |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211113.gif |title=Europe Weather Map on 2021-11-13 |publisher=Free University of Berlin |date=13 November 2021 |access-date=14 November 2021 |archive-date=13 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113131617/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211113.gif |url-status=dead }} On 14 November, the cyclone turned northward, moving over Sardinia and Corsica, before curving back southwestward on 15 November and moving over Sardinia again, while restrengthening in the process.{{cite web|language=de|url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211114.gif|title=Europe Weather Map on 2021-11-14|publisher=Free University of Berlin|date=14 November 2021|access-date=15 November 2021|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114125928/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211114.gif|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |language=de |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211115.gif |title=Europe Weather Map on 2021-11-15 |publisher=Free University of Berlin |date=15 November 2021 |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-date=16 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116175445/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211115.gif |url-status=dead }} On 16 November, Blas turned eastward once again, passing just south of Sardinia and moving towards Italy, before dissipating over the Tyrrhenian Sea on 18 November.{{cite web |language=de |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211116.gif |title=Europe Weather Map on 2021-11-16 |publisher=Free University of Berlin |date=16 November 2021 |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124221312/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211116.gif |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |language=de |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211117.gif |title=Europe Weather Map on 2021-11-17 |publisher=Free University of Berlin |date=17 November 2021 |access-date=24 November 2021 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124221310/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211117.gif |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |language=de |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211118.gif |title=Europe Weather Map on 2021-11-18 |publisher=Free University of Berlin|date=18 November 2021|access-date=24 November 2021}}{{cite web |language=de |url=http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211119.gif |title=Europe Weather Map on 2021-11-19 |publisher=Free University of Berlin |date=19 November 2021 |access-date=24 November 2021 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124221311/http://www.met.fu-berlin.de/de/wetter/maps/Analyse_20211119.gif |url-status=dead }}
Impacts
= Spain =
An orange warning was issued for the Balearic Islands and Gerona in Spain after the AEMET designated the storm, while a yellow warning was issued for the islands' northeast and over Levante. Menorca has also been placed on an orange rain alert.{{Cite web|date=November 6, 2021|title=La borrasca Blas amenaza a Baleares con una previsión de vientos de hasta 100 km/h|trans-title=The storm Blas threatens the Balearic Islands with a forecast of winds of up to 100 km / h|url=https://www.publico.es/sociedad/m-ambiente/borrasca-blas-amenaza-baleares-prevision-vientos-hasta-100-km-h.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2021|website=www.publico.es|language=es|archive-date=November 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106164703/https://www.publico.es/sociedad/m-ambiente/borrasca-blas-amenaza-baleares-prevision-vientos-hasta-100-km-h.html}} Due to the storm-induced strong waves, the Port of Valencia was also closed to sea activities.{{Cite web|date=November 6, 2021|title=El temporal marítimo obliga a cerrar el Puerto de Valencia|trans-title=The maritime storm forces the Port of Valencia to close|url=https://www.abc.es/espana/comunidad-valenciana/abci-temporal-maritimo-obliga-cerrar-puerto-valencia-202111061848_noticia.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2021|website=abc|language=es|archive-date=November 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106193911/https://www.abc.es/espana/comunidad-valenciana/abci-temporal-maritimo-obliga-cerrar-puerto-valencia-202111061848_noticia.html}} According to AEMET, Blas had the potential to acquire subtropical or tropical features while moving across the Mediterranean Sea and become a Medicane, according to AEMET.{{Cite web|date=November 6, 2021|title=Llega la borrasca Blas, el posible huracán mediterráneo, con olas de siete metros y chubascos intensos en Baleares|trans-title=The storm Blas arrives, the possible Mediterranean hurricane, with waves of seven meters and intense showers in the Balearic Islands|url=https://www.abc.es/sociedad/abci-llega-borrasca-blas-posible-huracan-mediterraneo-olas-siete-metros-y-chubascos-intensos-baleares-202111061107_noticia.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2021|website=abc|language=es|archive-date=November 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106111419/https://www.abc.es/sociedad/abci-llega-borrasca-blas-posible-huracan-mediterraneo-olas-siete-metros-y-chubascos-intensos-baleares-202111061107_noticia.html}}{{Cite web|author=Sanra Sanchez Guerra|date=November 6, 2021|title=Llega la borrasca Blas: olas de 12 metros y vientos de 100 km/h|trans-title=The storm Blas arrives: waves of 12 meters and winds of 100 km / h|url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2021-11-06/borrasca-blas-tiempo-fin-semana-noviembre_3318432/|url-status=live|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=elconfidencial.com|language=es|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108091933/https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2021-11-06/borrasca-blas-tiempo-fin-semana-noviembre_3318432/}}
The forced closure of the ports of Mahón and Ciutadella cut Menorca off from the rest of Spain.{{cite news|url=https://spainsnews.com/menorca-is-cut-off-by-sea-due-to-the-tropical-storm-blas/|title=Menorca is cut off by sea due to the tropical storm Blas|author=|work=Spain's News|date=13 November 2021|accessdate=24 November 2021|archive-date=24 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124040312/https://spainsnews.com/menorca-is-cut-off-by-sea-due-to-the-tropical-storm-blas/|url-status=dead}} A wind gust of {{convert|72|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} was recorded at the island's airport, while Es Mercadal recorded a wind gust of {{convert|75|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. A wave height of {{convert|3.7|m|ft|abbr=in}} was also recorded by a buoy due to Blas. About {{convert|5|m}}, meanwhile was registered at Mallorca's north and northeastern portions. The island's Far de Capdepera reported the highest wind gust from the system at the country, at {{convert|95|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} while Serra d'Alfabia at {{convert|88|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|date=November 6, 2021|title='Blas' deja en Mallorca rachas de viento de 100 km/h|trans-title='Blas' leaves in Mallorca wind gusts of 100 km / h|url=https://www.ultimahora.es/noticias/local/2021/11/06/1316503/tiempo-mallorca-blas-deja-mallorca-rachas-viento-100-h.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2021|website=Ultima Hora|language=es|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107193312/https://www.ultimahora.es/noticias/local/2021/11/06/1316503/tiempo-mallorca-blas-deja-mallorca-rachas-viento-100-h.html}} Several trees were uprooted and felled as a result of these, with firefighters responding to several requests for tree blockages.{{Cite web|title=La borrasca 'Blas' avanza hacia Cataluña: estas son las zonas más afectadas|trans-title=The storm 'Blas' advances towards Catalonia: these are the most affected areas|url=https://cronicaglobal.elespanol.com/vida/borrasca-blas-avanza-hacia-cataluna-estas-son-zonas-mas-afectadas_560124_102_amp.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=Crónica Global|date=8 November 2021 |language=es|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109065038/https://cronicaglobal.elespanol.com/vida/borrasca-blas-avanza-hacia-cataluna-estas-son-zonas-mas-afectadas_560124_102_amp.html}}
A wave height of {{convert|7.9|m|ft|abbr=in}} was also recorded at a port in the Balearic Islands.{{Cite web|date=November 9, 2021|title=La borrasca Blas reaparece con una intensa lluvia sobre Menorca|trans-title=The storm Blas reappears with heavy rain over Menorca|url=https://www.menorca.info/menorca/local/2021/11/09/757025/borrasca-blas-reaparece-una-intensa-lluvia.html|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=Menorca - Es diari|language=es|archive-date=10 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110061537/https://www.menorca.info/menorca/local/2021/11/09/757025/borrasca-blas-reaparece-una-intensa-lluvia.html|url-status=dead}} The heaviest rainfall was received at Escorsa, Son Torella with {{convert|118.8|mm|in|abbr=on}} on 11 November. In addition, a small vessel sank off the coast of El Fonduco due to high seas, although no one was injured. Across the archipelago, 143 tree, electrical line, and street lamp blockage occurrences were recorded.{{Cite web|date=November 8, 2021|title=El fin de semana deja 16 incidentes relacionados con el mal tiempo en Menorca|trans-title=The weekend leaves 16 incidents related to bad weather in Menorca|url=https://www.menorca.info/menorca/sucesos/2021/11/08/756931/fin-semana-deja-incidentes-relacionados-mal-tiempo-menorca.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=Menorca - Es diari|language=es|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110061732/https://www.menorca.info/menorca/sucesos/2021/11/08/756931/fin-semana-deja-incidentes-relacionados-mal-tiempo-menorca.html}} Disruption in transportations of fresh products in Menorca was also seen due to the closure of ports leading to the island.{{Cite web|date=November 8, 2021|title=La suspensión del tráfico marítimo vacía los súpers de productos frescos|trans-title=The suspension of maritime traffic empties the supermarkets of fresh products|url=https://www.menorca.info/menorca/local/2021/11/08/756933/suspension-del-trafico-maritimo-vacia-supers-productos-frescos.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=Menorca - Es diari|language=es|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108121316/https://www.menorca.info/menorca/local/2021/11/08/756933/suspension-del-trafico-maritimo-vacia-supers-productos-frescos.html}} The seaports connected to Menorca eventually opened again on 9 November.{{Cite web|date=November 9, 2021|title=Los puertos de Maó y Ciutadella reabren: Menorca vuelve a estar comunicada por mar|trans-title=The ports of Maó and Ciutadella reopen: Menorca is once again connected by sea|url=https://www.menorca.info/menorca/local/2021/11/09/757055/puertos-mao-ciutadella-reabren-menorca-vuelve-estar-comunicada-por-mar.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=Menorca - Es diari|language=es|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110061817/https://www.menorca.info/menorca/local/2021/11/09/757055/puertos-mao-ciutadella-reabren-menorca-vuelve-estar-comunicada-por-mar.html}} Minor flooding was also seen over Fornalutx, forcing the cancellation of classes there.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 10, 2021|title=La borrasca 'Blas' obliga a evacuar l'escola de Fornalutx|trans-title=The storm 'Blas' forces to evacuate the school of Fornalutx|url=https://www.arabalears.cat/partforana/borrasca-blas-obliga-evacuar-escola-fornalutx_1_4177634.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 11, 2021|website=Ara Balears|language=ca|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111065253/https://www.arabalears.cat/partforana/borrasca-blas-obliga-evacuar-escola-fornalutx_1_4177634.html}} Blas also affected Barcelona with heavy rains and rough seas, with beach stores closing and emergency plans activating in the city. Waves up to {{convert|2.3|-|3.3|m|ft|abbr=in}} also breached some sand on a beach while surfers were prohibited to undergo surfing activities.{{Cite web|title=Borrasca Blas: Així es viu el temporal a Barcelona {{!}} DIRECTE|trans-title=Blas storm: this is how the storm is lived in Barcelona {{!}} DIRECT|url=https://beteve.cat/medi-ambient/borrasca-blas-barcelona-directe-temporal-mar-vent-pluja/|url-status=live|access-date=November 11, 2021|website=beteve.cat|date=10 November 2021 |language=ca|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111065245/https://beteve.cat/medi-ambient/borrasca-blas-barcelona-directe-temporal-mar-vent-pluja/}}{{Cite web|date=November 10, 2021|title=Surfistes es banyen a la Barceloneta en plena borrasca Blas|trans-title=The Guàrdia Urbana identifies surfers who were swimming in Barceloneta in the middle of storm Blas|url=https://beteve.cat/societat/guardia-urbana-identifica-surfistes-banyen-borrasca-blas/|url-status=live|access-date=November 11, 2021|website=beteve.cat|language=ca|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111065245/https://beteve.cat/societat/guardia-urbana-identifica-surfistes-banyen-borrasca-blas/}} By 10 November, a sailboat crew was rescued by the emergency authorities in Mallorca as the mast of his vessel broke up. Many river basins also overflowed due to the heavy rains in the island, prompting several alerts for wind and rain.{{Cite news|date=November 10, 2021|title=Storm 'Blas' causing havoc in Mallorca|work=Mallorca Daily Bulletin|url=https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/weather/weather/2021/11/10/92741/mallorca-weather-storm-blas-2.html|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111041656/https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/weather/weather/2021/11/10/92741/mallorca-weather-storm-blas-2.html|url-status=live}}
= Algeria =
Heavy rainfall were experienced over the western part of Algeria due to Blas. Over {{convert|80|mm|in|abbr=on}} of the downpour was forecasted by the Meteo Algerie for the country's coastal areas. Meanwhile, orange alerts were placed over the said places and inland areas for strong winds.{{Cite web|date=November 9, 2021|title=نشرية حول الأحوال الجوية: استمرار تساقط الأمطار عبر 18 ولاية|trans-title=Wednesday's weather: rain continues across many states|url=https://www.echoroukonline.com/الأحوال-الجوية-ليوم-الأربعاء-استمرار|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=الشروق أونلاين|language=ar-DZ}} However, these rainfall benefited several sewers and valleys as they were dry due to the drought.{{Cite web|date=November 8, 2021|title=كميات كبيرة من مياه الأمطار بالعاصمة ضاعت في البالوعات|trans-title=Large amounts of rainwater in the capital were lost in the sewers|url=https://www.echoroukonline.com/كميات-كبيرة-من-مياه-الأمطار-بالعاصمة-ض|url-status=live|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=الشروق أونلاين|language=ar-DZ|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108162616/https://www.echoroukonline.com/%D9%83%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%83%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%B6}} Due to storm-related flash floods, many roads were impassable to light vehicles and/or forced to close. Many homes in Chlef Province were also devastated by landslides, and some structures were damaged. Cars were also drowned in the floods, with Civil Protection authorities successfully rescuing two individuals each on Oum El Bouaghi Province and an unnamed street. Three people were also rescued from their homes in Mazouna, Relizane Province, where they were stuck. Snowfall was also reported around the country, causing one motorway to be closed.{{Cite web|date=November 8, 2021|title=الدرك الوطني: هذه هي الطرق المقطوعة بسبب التقلبات الجوية|trans-title=National Gendarmerie: These are the roads cut off due to weather fluctuations|url=https://www.echoroukonline.com/الدرك-الوطني-هذه-هي-الطرق-المقطوعة-بسب|url-status=live|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=الشروق أونلاين|language=ar-DZ|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108153405/https://www.echoroukonline.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%83-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%87%D8%B0%D9%87-%D9%87%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%82%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%A8}}{{Cite web|date=November 7, 2021|title=التقلبات الجوية تحدث "طوارئ" بـ12 ولاية|trans-title=Weather fluctuations cause “emergency” in 12 states|url=https://www.echoroukonline.com/التقلبات-الجوية-تحدث-طوارئ-بـ12-ولاية|url-status=live|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=الشروق أونلاين|language=ar-DZ|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108032700/https://www.echoroukonline.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%AB-%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A6-%D8%A8%D9%8012-%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9}}{{Cite web|date=November 9, 2021|title=التقلبات الجوية: هذه حصيلة تدخلات الحماية المدنية عبر 4 ولايات|trans-title=Weather fluctuations: This is the outcome of civil protection interventions across 4 states|url=https://www.echoroukonline.com/التقلبات-الجوية-هذه-حصيلة-تدخلات-الحم-2|url-status=live|access-date=November 10, 2021|website=الشروق أونلاين|language=ar-DZ|archive-date=November 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106120506/https://www.echoroukonline.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%87%D8%B0%D9%87-%D8%AD%D8%B5%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%85-2}} Due to Blas' rains, a building collapse due to a landslide in a wilaya at Bologhine in the country's capital caused two people to be injured and three more people to be trapped in the establishment's remains; they were later confirmed to be killed.{{Cite news|date=November 9, 2021|title=Effondrement d'un immeuble à Bologhine: un blessé et trois disparus|language=fr|trans-title=Collapse of a building in Bologhine: one injured and three missing|work=Algerie Presse Service|url=https://www.aps.dz/societe/130300-intemperies-un-blesse-et-trois-disparus-suite-al-effondrement-d-un-immeuble-a-bologhine|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111210934/https://www.aps.dz/societe/130300-intemperies-un-blesse-et-trois-disparus-suite-al-effondrement-d-un-immeuble-a-bologhine|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=November 10, 2021|title=Effondrement d'un immeuble à Bologhine : trois morts et deux blessés|language=fr|trans-title=Collapse of a building in Bologhine: three dead and two injured|work=Algerie Presse Service|url=https://www.aps.dz/societe/130319-effondrement-d-un-immeuble-a-bologhine-trois-morts-et-deux-blesses|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110143435/https://www.aps.dz/societe/130319-effondrement-d-un-immeuble-a-bologhine-trois-morts-et-deux-blesses|url-status=live}} The latter fate also happened to three more individuals at Raïs Hamidou, bringing the death toll from the storm at Algeria at 6. Landslides were also reported at some areas in the capital, causing some property damages.{{Cite news|date=November 11, 2021|title=Intempéries: trois personnes décèdent sous les décombres de leur habitation à Alger|language=fr|trans-title=Bad weather: three people die under the rubble of their home in Algiers|work=Algerie Presse Service|url=https://www.aps.dz/societe/130429-intemperies-trois-personnes-decedent-sous-les-decombres-de-leur-habitation-a-alger|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111143804/https://www.aps.dz/societe/130429-intemperies-trois-personnes-decedent-sous-les-decombres-de-leur-habitation-a-alger|url-status=live}}
= France =
Cap Bear in France recorded a wind gust of {{convert|140|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, the highest from the system and Leucate at {{convert|111|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|date=November 8, 2021|title=Dépression Blas en Méditerranée : une menace pour la France ?|trans-title=Blas depression in the Mediterranean: a threat for France?|url=https://www.tameteo.com/actualites/previsions/depression-blas-en-mediterranee-une-menace-pour-la-france-tendance-meteo-france.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=Tameteo.com {{!}} Meteored|language=fr-FR|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108072031/https://www.tameteo.com/actualites/previsions/depression-blas-en-mediterranee-une-menace-pour-la-france-tendance-meteo-france.html}} Despite Blas remaining relatively far away from the mainland, the storm brought heavy rainfall to Corsica, with Ghisoni recording a rain accumulation of {{convert|229.1|mm|in|abbr=on}} from 9–10 November, slightly above the normal amount for the month of November in the area. More areas reached a rainfall total that is above or in exact the month's normal level: Isolaccio-di-Fiumorbo at {{convert|170.7|mm|in|abbr=on}} and Vivario at {{convert|167.4|mm|in|abbr=on}}, respectively.{{Cite tweet|author=Meteo-France |author-link= |user=meteofrance |number=1458473850182766593 |date=November 10, 2021 |title=Du 09/11 16h au 10/11 à 16h: GHISONI (627m) : 229.1 mm, soit 1.5 X la normale de novembre. ISOLACCIO DI FIUMORBO (198m) : 170.7 mm, 1.5 X la normal mensuelle. VIVARIO (773m) : 167.4 mm, soit la normale mensuelle. BOCOGNANO (660m) : 120.6 mm SAMPOLO (837 m) : 116.2 mm|access-date=November 11, 2021 |language=fr |trans-title=From 09/11 16h to 10/11 to 16h: GHISONI (627m): 229.1 mm, or 1.5 X the November normal. RIVER ISOLATION (198m): 170.7 mm, 1.5 X the normal monthly. VIVARIO (773m): 167.4 mm, or the monthly normal. BOCOGNANO (660m): 120.6 mm SAMPLE (837 m): 116.2 mm}} This caused the Tavignanu and Gravona rivers to swell on 10 November.{{Cite web|date=November 10, 2021|title=Vigilance orange "pluie-inondation" en Corse : le Tavignanu et la Gravona gonflent|trans-title=Orange "rain-flood" vigilance in Corsica: Tavignanu and Gravona are swelling|url=https://www.corsematin.com/articles/vigilance-orange-pluie-inondation-en-corse-le-tavignanu-et-la-gravona-gonflent-121528|url-status=live|access-date=November 11, 2021|website=Corse Matin|language=fr|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110205222/https://www.corsematin.com/articles/vigilance-orange-pluie-inondation-en-corse-le-tavignanu-et-la-gravona-gonflent-121528}} School transportation operations are also canceled due to Blas.{{Cite web|date=November 9, 2021|title=Vigilance orange "pluie-inondation" en Corse : les transports scolaires annulés dans certains secteurs ce mercredi 10 novembre|trans-title=Orange "rain-flood" vigilance in Corsica: school transport canceled in certain sectors this Wednesday 10 November|url=https://www.corsematin.com/articles/vigilance-orange-pluie-inondation-en-corse-les-transports-scolaires-annules-dans-certains-secteurs-ce-mercredi-10-novembre-121510|url-status=live|access-date=November 11, 2021|website=Corse Matin|language=fr|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111070255/https://www.corsematin.com/articles/vigilance-orange-pluie-inondation-en-corse-les-transports-scolaires-annules-dans-certains-secteurs-ce-mercredi-10-novembre-121510}}
= Italy =
The Mediterranean cyclone 'Blas' generated a phase of extreme bad weather in Sardinia, causing a real storm in the Cagliari area: the flooding caused 107 mm of rain in the centre in 4 hours, 140 mm in Capoterra.{{Cite web |last=Fotia |first=Filomena |date=2021-11-14 |title=Il Ciclone Blas devasta la Sardegna con violenti temporali: disastrosa alluvione a Cagliari, Pirri travolta dall'acqua [FOTO e VIDEO] |url=https://www.meteoweb.eu/2021/11/ciclone-blas-violenti-temporali-in-sardegna-alluvione-a-cagliari/1738974/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=MeteoWeb |language=it-IT}} According to the French newspaper L'Indépendant, heavy rains, attributed from Blas, killed three people in Sicily.{{Cite news|date=November 11, 2021|title=Après la Catalogne, la tempête Blas va-t-elle se transformer en ouragan méditerranéen et balayer les îles Baléares?|language=fr|trans-title=After Catalonia, will storm Blas turn into a Mediterranean hurricane and sweep across the Balearic Islands?|work=L'Indépendant|url=https://www.lindependant.fr/2021/11/11/apres-la-catalogne-la-tempete-blas-va-t-elle-se-transformer-en-ouragan-mediterraneen-et-balayer-les-iles-baleares-9921636.php|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112000311/https://www.lindependant.fr/2021/11/11/apres-la-catalogne-la-tempete-blas-va-t-elle-se-transformer-en-ouragan-mediterraneen-et-balayer-les-iles-baleares-9921636.php|url-status=live}}
See also
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones|Spain|France|Algeria}}
- Weather of 2021
- Tropical Storm Rolf – Another Medicane that caused severe flooding in some of the same areas in November 2011
- 2021–22 European windstorm season
- Other storms named Blas
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{Commons category|Storm Blas (2021)}}
{{European windstorms}}
{{European windstorm seasons}}
{{Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones}}
Category:November 2021 in Spain
Category:Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones
Category:November 2021 in Europe
Category:2021 disasters in Europe