Wind and wave extremes associated with tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean basin

The Mediterranean Sea is a basin with intense cyclonic activity. The multidimensional impact of such weather events on human life enhances the need and highlights the importance for further research. In this framework, there is a great interest for the development, evolution and impacts of tropical-like cyclones in the basin (medicanes). Besides their scientifically appealing features, their extremity and presence in a populated region with intense coastal activities can lead to social, natural and financial implications. The purpose of this work is the characterization of the risk exposed areas by this type of cyclones alongside their intensity and recurrence interval in terms of wind and wave parameters. In order to consider more than the strict and direct effects of the medicane vicinity, the extremes have been studied in radii greater than the typical cyclonic one and during all stages of the cyclone lifecycle. A high-resolution, wind-wave coupled modelling system is employed for the simulation of documented medicanes during a 25-year period. Results from both the atmospheric and wave model are processed while different extreme indices and extreme value methodologies are utilized for the quantification of their likelihood of occurrence. It is found that risk exposed areas are mainly located in central and Western Mediterranean with wind and wave characteristics to have similar spatial distributions. Higher frequency and extreme values are present in the south of France (Gulf of Lion). In addition to the scientific interest regarding the results of the present study, useful information can be extracted in different sectors such as transportation routes, offshore economic activities, civil protection, early warning systems and reinsurance.

Automated summary

This study focused on the characteristics, impacts, and risk exposed areas of tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean Sea, finding that the storms are mainly concentrated in the central region, with the Gulf of Lion in southern France being the most affected area. The results of the research can be applied in various sectors such as transportation, offshore economic activities, and civil protection.