El North Atlantic is being the scene of a meteorological episode that has captured the attention of the meteorological services of Europe. The storm Bert, named by Met Éireann, the Irish meteorological service, is in the center of attention due to its explosive cyclogenesis, a phenomenon that has turned this low pressure system into one of the most notable storms of the season.
The term “bombogenesis” or “bomb cyclone” used to describe this event is not a media invention, but comes from the scientific community. This process occurs when the central pressure of a depression drops sharply in a short period of time. In the case of Bert, the pressure has dropped 42 hPa in less than 24 hours, standing at 937 hPa, typical levels of category 4 hurricanes. Such a pressure drop generates a considerable intensification of winds and other associated phenomena, leaving behind a storm of extreme impact.
Immediate impact on the British Isles
The United Kingdom and Ireland are feeling the first effects of the powerful storm Bert. There, storms have been activated Orange and yellow alerts by torrential rain, snow and gale-force winds. Scotland and northern England are particularly affected, with snow accumulations that could exceed 1000 m. 40 cm in high areas and waves of up to 12 meters that hit the coasts constantly. Temperatures are also on the rise due to the warm southerly flow that accompanies the event.
What effects will it have in Spain?
Although storm Bert will not directly affect Spain, its influence will not go unnoticed. During Sunday, a front associated with the storm will touch the northwest peninsula, leaving rain and strong gusts of wind in regions such as Galicia, Asturias and the Cantabrian Sea. The most significant rainfall will be recorded in Galicia, where the accumulated amounts could exceed 40 mm in 12 hours and the gusts of wind exceed the 100 km/h in exposed areas.
In the mountainous areas of the north, the wind will reach even higher speeds, exceeding 140 km/h in some hills and peaks. In addition, the coastal situation will be marked by a strong waves with waves between 8 and 9 metres on the Galician and western Cantabrian coasts.
Warm and atypical weather for November
One of the less common effects associated with Bert is the increase in temperatures in Spain. While in Great Britain and the North Atlantic there are situations of extreme cold, in the peninsula the maximum temperatures will be well above normal for this time. Values close to 100 °C are expected. 25 ° C in Andalusia, Extremadura and the Mediterranean coast, while in the Cantabrian Sea the figures will be exceeded 20 ° CThis warm environment will continue for much of next week.
What to expect in the coming days
On Monday, the front associated with Bert will continue to move eastwards, leaving scattered but still present rain in the northern and central third of the peninsula. The southern and Mediterranean areas, however, will remain spared from this precipitation. On this day, temperatures will begin to drop slightly, although they will still remain above the usual values for November.
From Tuesday, Bert's influence will gradually disappear, giving way to a period of atmospheric stability in much of the country, with a predominance of clear skies and an anticyclone that will block the arrival of new Atlantic fronts. However, some high pressures will form. fog banks morning inland and the temperature will remain abnormally high, especially in the southern half and in the Pyrenees area.
Although Bert will not directly impact Spain, its influence will be noticeable in the form of rain, winds and an increase in temperatures in several regions. This episode also reminds us how unpredictable and extreme the weather in the North Atlantic can be.