Storm Ciarán
Area affectedIreland, United Kingdom, Benelux,[1] France,[2] Spain,[3] Czech Republic,[4] Italy[5]
Date of impact29 October – 4 November 2023
Maximum wind gustTornadic – 290 km/h (180 mph) (IF3 Lavino, Bulgaria tornado): 4 November 2023[6]
Non-tornadic – 207 km/h (129 mph), Pointe du Raz, France: 2 November 2023
Fatalities21
Power outages1,305,321
DamageUnspecified

Storm Ciarán, known in Germany as Storm Emir[7] was a European windstorm that severely affected parts of Europe from late October to early November 2023. Part of the 2023–24 European windstorm season, Ciarán impacted northwestern Europe and killed 21 people, eleven of whom were in Italy and four in France. It also caused mass disruption to transport. Widespread damage from 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) winds were reported in the Channel Islands, while 1.2 million French households were left without electricity.[8][9]

Prelude

Storm Ciarán was named by the United Kingdom's Met Office on 29 October, while the Free University of Berlin in Germany named the system Emir on 30 October.[7] It was expected to bring winds of 90 to 120 km/h (60 to 70 mph) widely with >130 km/h (>80 mph) on some coasts. More heavy rainfall was expected to fall which would exacerbate the flooding from Storm Babet a week prior.

The Met Office's long-range forecast stated that Storm Ciarán would move away on 3 November, with many places still with blistering winds and rain spells.[10] The Channel Islands were due to be hit with gusts around 95 mph (153 km/h) with schools closed and a red weather warning in place. On 1 November, this was updated to a Force 11 violent storm, with the Met Office stating that Storm Ciarán was undergoing explosive cyclogenesis.[11] The storm would impact the Netherlands on 2 November.[12] The storm especially affected the Isle of Jersey, where a strong thunderstorm formed a tornado alongside the golf ball sized hail with windspeeds of the storm reaching over 100 mph (160 km/h).[13][14]

The event

Lying platanus trees, Saint-Lô, France
A tree fallen across a pedestrian path, Delft, the Netherlands

A large yellow weather warning for rain and wind in place for the South Wales, Devon and Cornwall, south coast and the east coast of East Anglia. In Cornwall, 4,000 properties were left without power.[15] In Devon, 250 schools were closed.[16] In Dorset, the Freshwater Beach Holiday Park at Burton Bradstock was destroyed. Other places in Dorset affected included Loders, Easton and West Bay.[17] A caravan park at Tenby in Wales was evacuated due to flooding.[18] Moyles Court School in the New Forest was closed due to flooding.[19]

The southern coast of England and France were severely affected by the storm, with record wind gusts in France being reported around 129 mph (208 km/h).[20] The storm also caused flooding and huge waves.[21]

In the Netherlands, an orange weather warning was given for the coastal provinces for high winds. Events were cancelled, including at the last-minute the Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships. There was disruption due to cancelled flights and trains.[22] People were advised to work at home, and to not drive unnecessarily. The Dutch Railways adjusted the timetable with fewer trains.[23]

Twenty-one people were killed during the storm, including: a 46-year-old woman who died in Germany when a tree fell on her.[24] A 5-year-old child and a 64-year-old woman were killed by falling trees in Belgium.[25] A 23-year-old woman died in Madrid, Spain.[26] In Venray, the Netherlands, a person was killed when a tree fell on their car.[27] On 3 November, a man was killed inside his vehicle in Albania.[28]

In France, a truck driver was killed by a falling tree, a 72-year-old man was blown off his balcony,[29] a 43-year-old died after being swept away by a wave,[30] while a 46-year-old technician was killed on 4 November while trying to restore electricity to homes.[31]

Eight people were killed during heavy rains in the region of Tuscany, Italy,[32][33] with rivers flooding and causing damage. Several roads and highways were closed amid landslides.[34][35] Floods also occurred in the region of Veneto, with a 40-year-old man being killed after falling from the Corno d’Acquilio mountain,[36] while a 44-year-old man was killed in Belluno.[37] Severe damage also occurred in Campobasso and other areas of Molise, as well as in Abruzzo and the Rome area;[35] emergency measures were also taken in Campania.[34][35] In Sardinia, strong winds fueled fires that burned hectares of vegetation, while a man was killed in Capoterra while battling fires,[38] and an entire sawmill burned down in Tortolì.[34]

The Jersey Zoo announced that one of their Chilean flamingos had been killed by the storm, but all the other animals had been accounted for. They further stated that the zoo would be closed until 6 November 2023, so any remaining debris could be cleared.[39]

In total, there were more than 1 million people without power, and in Cornwall around 4,000 properties were left without power.[40]

Highest wind gust per country

Country Gust Location
 Belgium 105 km/h (65 mph) Zeebrugge
 France 207 km/h (129 mph) Pointe du Raz
 Germany 144 km/h (89 mph) Brocken
 Ireland 145 km/h (90 mph) Hook Lighthouse
 Italy 197 km/h (122 mph) Punta Ala
 Luxembourg 102 km/h (63 mph) Wiltz
 Netherlands 116 km/h (72 mph) IJmuiden
 Spain 140 km/h (87 mph) Vila d'Eivissa
 Jersey 160 km/h (99 mph) Jersey

Tornado Outbreak

Storm Ciarán spawned 9 tornadoes across Europe.

IFU IF0 IF0.5 IF1 IF1.5 IF2 IF2.5 IF3 IF4 IF5
1 0 0 4 1 1 0 2 0 0
List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, November 1, 2023
IF#LocationDistrict/
County		Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthComments/Damage
United Kingdom
F1/T2 Loders Dorset 22:45 2.4 km TORRO sight investigation - Rated T2/3. [41]
IF3 St Clement Jersey 49°10′N 2°05′W / 49.17°N 2.08°W / 49.17; -2.08 (Jersey(Nov. 1, IF2.5)) 23:54 8 km Significant tornado passed through island of Jersey from St Clement to Fliquet settlements. Numerous roofs and trees were downed or damaged. In a few cases, damage to walls occurred. [42]
List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, November 2, 2023
IF#LocationDistrict/
County		Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthComments/Damage
United Kingdom
F1/T2 Sompting West Sussex 50°50′N 0°20′W / 50.84°N 0.34°W / 50.84; -0.34 (Sompting(Nov. 2, F1)) 06:35 2 km TORRO sight investigation - Rated T2. [43]
Italy
IF1 Castel Focognano Tuscany 43°39′N 11°50′E / 43.65°N 11.83°E / 43.65; 11.83 (Castel Focognano(Nov. 2, IF1)) 21:45 1.3 km An IF1 rated tornado struck parts of Castel Focognano in Italy, damaging roofs and trees. [44]
List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, November 4, 2023
IF#LocationDistrict/
County		Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthComments/Damage
Bulgaria
IF3 Lavino Silistra Province 43°47′N 26°58′E / 43.78°N 26.96°E / 43.78; 26.96 (Lavino(Nov. 4, IF3)) 09:50 15 km On November 4, an intense tornado struck Lavino in Bulgaria. According to the European Severe Storms Laboratory, at least 150 structures were damaged, including homes that had walls collapse, earning a rating of IF3. One person was slightly injured. [45]
IFU Sratsimir Silistra Province 44°02′N 27°19′E / 44.04°N 27.32°E / 44.04; 27.32 (Stratsimir(Nov. 4,IFU)) 10:25 Unknown Tornado was observed. Time was based on radar data. [46]
Greece
IF2 Xánthi Western Thrace 41°08′N 24°53′E / 41.13°N 24.89°E / 41.13; 24.89 (Xánthi(Nov. 4,IF2) 10:25 1.5 km Tornadic wind damage was reported. Two cars were overturned on a parking lot of LIDL supermarket (41.131N 24.895E). At least several damaged roofs and numerous downed trees and large tree branches were reported (especially along Geor. Kondyli street). A large tree branch fell on a moving bus, causing no injuries. Length of the damage path reached at least 1.5 km (between Geor. Kondyli street and EPS stadiums). Time was based on SAT data and recording from the CCTV camera. [47]
France
IF1 La Pouëze Pays de la Loire 47°33′N 0°48′W / 47.55°N 0.80°W / 47.55; -0.80 (La Pouëze(Nov. 4,IF1) 11:10 5 km Trees downed or uprooted, truck overturned. [48]
Turkey
IF1.5 Dereköy Aydın Province 37°35′N 27°44′E / 37.59°N 27.73°E / 37.59; 27.73 (Dereköy (Nov. 4,IF1.5) 23:20 5 km Tornado reported which hit Dereköy village in Kocarli district, Aydin province. A mosque tower collapsed, power lines snapped, trees uprooted/snapped. [49]

Aftermath

A day after the storm there were still problems in the Netherlands. Several polders and gardens were flooded, including an apartment complex in Breda that has been evacuated due to flooding.[50] The storm caused damage of more than €15 million in the Netherlands.[51]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Korosec, Marko (30 October 2023). "Atlantic Storm Ciaran will blast a powerful windstorm into Ireland, the UK, and France on Thursday, with more storms as we head into the next weekend". Severe Weather Europe.
  2. ↑ "U.K., France at risk of Storm Ciarán's flooding rains, high winds".
  3. ↑ "Storm Ciarán Set To Hit Spain On Thursday". Euro Weekly News. 30 October 2023.
  4. ↑ Gress, Brandes (30 October 2023). "Storm Ciarán Arrives in Europe. How and When Will Czechia be Affected?".
  5. ↑ "Atlantic Storm Ciaran: hurricane force wind gusts, waves up to 10m, severe weather and flood risk for western Europe and Italy". 3BMeteo | Previsioni Meteo. 30 October 2023.
  6. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20231110182647/https://eswd.eu/cgi-bin/eswd.cgi?lang=en_0&lastquery=18261833907
  7. 1 2 Deutscher Wetterdienst (1 November 2023). "Europe Weather Analysis for 1 November 2023". Free University of Berlin. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  8. ↑ "South of England and Channel Islands bear brunt of Storm Ciaran". The Independent. 2 November 2023.
  9. ↑ "Storm Ciaran kills six, lashes Europe with strong winds and rain". 2 November 2023 – via www.reuters.com.
  10. ↑ Chessum, Victoria (30 October 2023). "Met Office fears brutal new storm chaos will come hours after Ciáran". Express.co.uk.
  11. ↑ Meteorological Office (1 November 2023). "Storm Ciarán is undergoing explosive cyclogenesis, rapidly deepening out in the Atlantic 🌀 Check out the latest view from above 🛰️👇" (Post on 𝕏). 𝕏. Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  12. ↑ "Morgen onstuimige middag, zware avondspits door storm Ciarán, treinen rijden wel". nos.nl. 1 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "Watch: Footage appearing to show tornado in Jersey – and Islanders share pictures of devastation". 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  14. ↑ Heath, Richard (2 November 2023). "WATCH: Footage shows devastating trail of destruction from tornado which ripped through parts of Jersey as Storm Ciarán lashed the Island". Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  15. ↑ "Falling trees, power cuts and a flying trampoline in Cornwall storm". BBC News. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "Devon: Storm Ciarán causes floods, power outages and shuts schools". BBC News. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "Residents evacuated from Dorset holiday park". Bridport and Lyme Regis News. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  18. ↑ "Wales weather: Tenby caravan site evacuates as Storm Ciarán hits". BBC News. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  19. ↑ "School forced to close after being swamped with flood water". Bournemouth Echo. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  20. ↑ "Storm Ciarán whips western Europe, blowing record winds in France and leaving millions without power". AP News. 2 November 2023.
  21. ↑ "Storm Ciaran in pictures: Flooded streets and huge waves as parts of England hit by high winds and driving rain". Sky News.
  22. ↑ "Storm Ciarán hield flink huis in Nederland, dit gebeurde er allemaal vandaag". RTL Nieuws. 2 November 2023.
  23. ↑ "Storm Ciarán: ANWB adviseert thuiswerk, NS past dienstregeling aan | Binnenland | Telegraaf.nl".
  24. ↑ ""Ciarán": Weitere Wetterwarnungen nach Sturm mit Todesfolge". NDR. 4 November 2023.
  25. ↑ "Storm Ciaran causes two deaths in Belgium". Reuters. 2 November 2023.
  26. ↑ "Una mujer de 23 años muere por la caída de un árbol en Madrid en plena borrasca 'Ciarán'". El Pais. 2 November 2023.
  27. ↑ "One person killed as storm Ciarán blows down trees". Dutch News. 2 November 2023.
  28. ↑ "Storm Ciarán brings record rainfall to Italy as European death toll rises to 14". Irish Independent. 3 November 2023.
  29. ↑ "Tempête Ciaran : Un homme de 72 ans est mort en tombant de son balcon en France, 2e mort lié à la tempête dans le pays". Sud Info. 2 November 2023.
  30. ↑ "Tempête Ciaran : un troisième mort en France, emporté par une vague". La Voix du Nord. 3 November 2023.
  31. ↑ "French power supplier says technician killed as it battles damage from Storm Ciarán". Associated Press. 5 November 2023.
  32. ↑ "Il bilancio dei morti per il maltempo in Toscana sale a 8: trovato il corpo di Antonio Tumolo, 84 anni". Virgilio Notizie. 7 November 2023.
  33. ↑ "Allarme maltempo, domenica il meteo peggiora, in Toscana le vittime sono sette". 5 November 2023.
  34. 1 2 3 Rainews, Redazione di (2 November 2023). "Toscana: 6 morti e due dispersi. In Veneto si cerca un vigile del fuoco. Il cordoglio di Meloni". RaiNews.
  35. 1 2 3 "I nubifragi in Toscana hanno causato almeno sei morti". Il Post (in Italian). 3 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  36. ↑ "Daniele Foghin, trovato morto l'«influencer della montagna» partito per un'escursione prima dell'ondata di maltempo". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 3 November 2023.
  37. ↑ "Belluno: ritrovato nel lago di Santa Croce il corpo del vigile del fuoco disperso Walter Locatello". Rai News (in Italian). 6 November 2023.
  38. ↑ "Capoterra, muore d'infarto mentre lotta col fuoco". L'Unione Sarda. 3 November 2023.
  39. ↑ "Flamingo dies at Jersey Zoo during Storm Ciarán". itv.com. 2 November 2023.
  40. ↑ "Falling trees, power cuts and a flying trampoline in Cornwall storm". 2 November 2023 – via www.bbc.com.
  41. ↑ https://www.torro.org.uk/research/event/2023-11-01#Jersey
  42. ↑ https://eswd.eu/cgi-bin/eswd.cgi
  43. ↑ https://www.torro.org.uk/research/event/2023-11-02#Sompting
  44. ↑ https://eswd.eu/cgi-bin/eswd.cgi
  45. ↑ https://eswd.eu/cgi-bin/eswd.cgi
  46. ↑ https://eswd.eu/cgi-bin/eswd.cgi
  47. ↑ https://eswd.eu/cgi-bin/eswd.cgi
  48. ↑ https://eswd.eu/cgi-bin/eswd.cgi
  49. ↑ https://eswd.eu/cgi-bin/eswd.cgi
  50. ↑ "Water veroorzaakt problemen na storm Ciarán". nos.nl. 3 November 2023.
  51. ↑ Binnenlandredactie (3 November 2023). "Dodental storm Ciarán loopt op tot 16, kosten door schade in Nederland vallen mee". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 November 2023.
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