The storms Gerard Y Fien bring us the real winter

Storm

The squalls Gerard and Fien They have brought us back to reality. After an autumn of warm temperatures, these meteorological phenomena are reminding us that we are in winter. From January 16, in all Autonomous Communities of Spain its effects are being felt.

So that you are aware of what is happening, we are going to explain everything you need to know about these two storms and what their effects are being both on the towns and on the fields and roads. So you can take the due precautions.

What is a squall?

Storm

Drawing that reproduces the passage of a storm through the north of Spain

With this name, we call a meteorological phenomenon that brings rains, winds and even snow. we could say it is the opposite of an anticyclone. Storms form when there is an air mass with low atmospheric pressure surrounded by others that present it higher. The clash of both causes its appearance.

An atmospheric pressure around the 1013 millibars. When it is lower, the storm originates. We could say that these act as large funnels for hot air that circulates inside. Then it rises to the upper layers of the atmosphere. forming clouds and precipitation.

On the other hand, storms usually have a duration shorter than anticyclones. And both to some and to others, names are usually given to differentiate them from past or future ones. But, once we have explained what this weather phenomenon is and how it is formed, we are going to focus on Gerard, Fien and their consequences.

the squall Gerard

Squall Filomena

Effects of the Filomena storm in Madrid

Chronologically, the Gerard and Fien storms are the first two of the year 2023. Gerard has been shorter, since it arrived on the 16th and only 24 hours later has given way to Fien. We could tell you that the first has been a warning for the second. However, Gerard has already left us drop in temperatures, snow levels around the 600 or 700 meters high and accumulated up to 30 centimeters in the Pyrenees.

But, although it has also brought snow to the Cantabrian Mountains, the most relevant aspect of this first storm has been the rain. To give you an idea, for example, in Cantabria some have fallen 80 liters per square meter.

Likewise, on the northern coast of Spain, the waves have already reached the eight meters high And the temperatures have dropped a lot. A good part of her fault lies with the strong winds. In Galicia, streaks of up to 160 kilometers per hour. However, Gerard has affected the south of the Iberian Peninsula less, something that is changing with the arrival of the Fien storm.

Squall Fien is here

Overflowing river

River flooded by storm

If Gerard's step has been intense, Fien's will be even more so, who is also a cold squall and it will take more days to go away. Since Tuesday, there has been a drop in temperatures with the entry of Polar cold. In turn, this will cause snow falls at very low elevations. It's already doing it just 500 meters and it will keep going down. You could even do it at sea level.

In fact, they have already been given snow warnings in all the northern strip of Spain, Specially in Galicia, Asturias, León and Huesca. But also in the rest of Castilla y Leon, from the north of Catalonia, Madrid and the provinces of Castilla la Mancha. However, not only this type of precipitation will cause problems.

They will also continue and even intensify the strong winds and rain. Likewise, the Fien squall will have special virulence in the sea. Specifically in the River waves of more than nine meters and winds of more than 100 kilometers per hour are expected. However, the latter will also affect inland provinces such as Burgos or Soria, with speeds greater than 90 kilometers. They will even be given in the Levantine zone with the same virulence.

The wind will begin to lose strength from Wednesday. But this does not mean that the weather situation improves. Unlike, more polar air will enter y snowfall will intensify. Likewise, as we have already told you, the communities in the south of the Peninsula, which have been less affected on Monday and Tuesday, will also suffer the storm in all its intensity. The only areas that, according to experts, will suffer less from it will be Estremadura y Canary Islands.

As for the Balearics, the notice will also become orange since Wednesday. There will be waves over six meters, although some larger ones may appear, especially to the west of Mallorca and Menorca. But, in any case, as we told you, the situation will worsen on Wednesday throughout the country. And the bad weather will last, at least, until next Saturday, when Fien finishes crossing the Iberian Peninsula.

First consequences of the storms Gerard and Fien

Storm in Navarre

Storm in the heights of Navarre

Although the worst of the Gerard and Fien storms has not yet arrived, its effects are already being felt. For example in Folgoso do Courel (Lugo) have already been collected more than 120 liters per square meter of precipitation and in the season of O Xistral They have registered winds of 169 kilometers per hour. Similarly, floods have been recorded in towns such as Laredo in Cantabria or Bermeo in the Basque Country.

In the latter, the situation has been more tragic, since there has been the death of a person. It is about a man who, apparently, was in the Urdaibai reserve. The force of the waters dragged him to the sea. Because it was a Red Cross boat that found the body in the port of Bermeo.

But the situation in these localities is no exception. Throughout the Iberian Peninsula are taking place road closures due to rain or snow, as well as serious problems caused by the wind.

In conclusion, the squalls Gerard and Fien have happened in Spain. They are very strong, above all, due to their confluence with the Atlantic anticyclone located west of the Azores. And they are affecting the whole country. Therefore, we advise you to take precautions. If you don't need to travel, leave your car in the garage and, of course, stay away from the coast.


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