Ianos-A Hurricane in the Mediterranean

During 15-21 September 2020, an intense medicane, named Ianos, formed over the warm Mediterranean Sea. Following a path of approximately 1,900 km, Medicane Ianos affected Greece resulting in four casualties and devastating damage in the western and central parts of Greece. Persistent gale force 1-min winds up to 44 m s(-1) and wind gusts up to 54 m s(-1) were recorded in Cephalonia Island (Ionian Sea), while record-breaking amounts of accumulated rainfall have been recorded in several Ionian islands, as well as in parts of central Greece. Analysis of the available observations showed that Ianos was the most intense medicane ever recorded in the Mediterranean. This paper aims at investigating the genesis and evolution of the medicane, based on in situ observations, satellite measurements, and model analyses. Toward that objective, Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) SEVIRI imagery, combined with lightning data permitted to follow the evolution of convective activity during the various phases of Ianos. This investigation is complemented with upper-air model analyses in order to evaluate the synoptic environment within which Ianos had formed and was sustained over 7 days. Finally, the Global Precipitation Measurement Core Observatory (GPM CO) satellite overpasses over Medicane Ianos provided invaluable information about its 3D structure, especially during its most intense phase.

Automated summary

During September 15-21, 2020, a highly intense medicane named Ianos formed over the warm Mediterranean Sea, causing significant damage and casualties in Greece. This paper investigates the genesis and evolution of Ianos using in situ observations, satellite measurements, and model analyses. The study highlights that Ianos was the most intense medicane ever recorded in the Mediterranean and provides valuable insights into its structure and convective activity.