Storm Zorba had a similar structure to a hurricane but was more like a mini tropical storm Greece and Turkey were struck by an unusual storm called Zorba last week. This was a tropical-like cyclone, or TLC, also known by the portmanteau term “Medicane”, a combination of Mediterranean and hurricane. Such storms generally occur only once or twice a year, as they require very specific conditions to form, including a mass of cold air and atmospheric instability. Medicanes are circular storms, like hurricanes or typhoons, and have a similar structure with a clear eye at their centre. However, to be classed as a hurricane, a storm must form over the Atlantic and have a sustained windspeed of more than 74mph. Medicanes are smaller and less powerful. Zorba’s wind speed of 56mph would make it more equivalent to a miniature tropical storm than a hurricane. Continue reading...
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