Rapid cyclogenesis in Mediterranean Sea: Medicane “Zorbas” is forming, threatening Greece and Turkey

Medicane "Zorbas" is forming in the southern Mediterranean Sea. Zorbas may hit Crete, Greece late Saturday, September 29 and WSW Turkey on September 30, with hurricane-force winds and locally very heavy rain.  Wind damage and life-threatening flash floods are expected in some areas.

"In response to the Arctic outbreak that pushed into the southern Balkan peninsula, a cold core upper low is deepening in the southern-central Mediterranean and cyclogenesis is taking place. It will lead into the formation of a Tropical-like cyclone (TLC) / Medicane by the evening," SWE meteorologists report.

Medicane "Zorbas" forming – September 27, 2018 at 13:00 UTC. Credit: SSEC

Model guidance is now trending towards a more southerly track of the Medicane than what was anticipated in yesterday model runs, they said.

"The Medicane may even hit Crete on late Saturday and WSW Turkey on Sunday, after nearing Peloponnese earlier. Severe wind and life-threatening flash floods threat are expected in some areas."

Featured image: Medicane "Zorbas" Peak Wind Gusts model run September 27, 2018. Credit: wxcharts