Today we're going to talk about one of the strongest storms to hit Spain in 2020: Storm Gloria . It was the first major storm of the year. There are many reasons why it reminds us of the DANA storm that occurred in September 2019. The amount of damage this storm caused, along with wind, snow, rain, and heavy swells, made Storm Gloria one of the most extreme weather events.
In this article we are going to tell you all the characteristics, origin and consequences of the storm Gloria.
Origin and causes of the storm Gloria
This winter storm exhibited extreme weather characteristics due to its strong winds, rain, snow, and high waves. Meteorologists predicted that this storm would break records for some of the most important atmospheric variables studied in storms. Although considered a small storm, it was very violent.
It is a cyclone that brings together a mix of extreme phenomena resulting from the combination of cold air at all levels of the troposphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, approximately 10 kilometers thick, extending from the Earth's surface. It is in this part of the Earth's atmosphere where weather events occur. The combination of cold air at all levels of the troposphere and moisture from the Mediterranean has resulted in very heavy snowfall at lower elevations. This storm has also been notable for the rough seas it has caused in the Mediterranean area of ​​the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands.
To fully understand the formation of Storm Gloria, we must begin with the mass of cold air that generated it. This mass of cold air at different altitudes interacted with the anticyclone over the British Isles, creating a flow of very strong winds between them. These two elements were accompanied by quite abrupt pressure changes and very cold winds originating from the northern part of the continent. The intensity of the wind and the pressure difference promoted the development of storms and heavy snowfall, even at lower elevations.
The most normal thing is that this type of storm is common in winter, but the extraordinary thing in this situation is that it is too violent. Basically it is due to an extreme anticyclone and even very strong cold windsBoth phenomena are driven by a climate that fosters the most radical meteorological elements. If you're interested in learning more about the difference between an anticyclone and a storm, you can read (https://www.meteorologiaenred.com/difference-between-anticyclone-and-storm.html).
Aftermath of the storm Gloria
It all began in September 2019. The first extreme storms were seen with the DANA (isolated high-altitude depression) of 2016. Forecasts for the future indicate that these weather events will become increasingly intense. This isn't necessarily due to an increase in frequency, but rather in intensity. Because of the negative effects of climate change on the Earth's atmosphere, these types of extreme weather events may occur with increasing frequency.
Weather alerts flooded the media, given the numerous deaths across the country and the hundreds of thousands of euros in damages and injuries. The most shocking aspect was the damage inflicted on businesses and cities, as well as roads and infrastructure.
Given the numerous and increasingly severe damage, people are questioning whether these weather events could cause even more harm. We don't know if we are prepared to cope with the damage that future extreme weather events could cause. After all, there were two severe weather events within a six-month period . There is not much data available regarding how the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events will change due to climate change. Experts have traditionally focused on structures and buildings closest to the coast due to fears about rising sea levels. All of these factors must be taken into account when planning land use.
If a city is unprepared for such a phenomenon, the damage could be far more severe and completely unavoidable. Data indicates that a hurricane could occur in the coming years. But we also have a smaller, yet no less damaging, storm: Gloria. Although smaller, it caused unexpected damage. The DANA (Isolated High-Level Depression) demonstrated certain events that can be catastrophic.
Study of possible extreme phenomena
It's important to keep in mind that studies related to the future effects of climate change are necessary. These extreme weather events have occurred with some frequency throughout history. However, we are not always prepared for their consequences. Some experts attribute this lack of preparedness to our short meteorological memory. It's worth noting that meteorological records only began around 1800, and we don't have a particularly extensive climate history.
This lack of data could cause us problems in the future . It's crucial to thoroughly study the extreme weather events that have always occurred. The trend is for them to become increasingly intense and potentially cause more damage. Therefore, cities and towns must have damage mitigation plans in place to minimize the impact of these extreme weather events.
Climate change begins with the rise in average global temperatures. Changes in temperature alter the entire dynamics of the atmosphere. As the atmosphere heats up, more greenhouse gases accumulate daily. All these variables are creating a completely different climate scenario, with a gradual but increasingly rapid change . If we don't curb the effects of climate change, the scenario will change drastically. No matter how much technology humanity possesses, climate change is becoming increasingly rapid and unpredictable.
Therefore, it is essential to protect yourself against the following storms that we may have. I hope that with this information you can learn more about the storm Gloria and its characteristics.