Dangerous Medicane Cassilda (Ianos) forecast to strike western Greece

The first medicane of the 2020/21 Mediterranean medicane season — named Cassilda by the unofficial Mediterranean Cyclone Center (MCC), and Ianos by the National Observatory of Athens — formed in the Ionian Sea on September 16. The storm is moving toward Greece and is expected to make landfall on Friday, September 18.

Cassilda (Ianos) will start affecting Greece's Ionian coast on Thursday, September 17, especially the Attica region which is forecast to be the worst affected as the storm makes landfall on Friday.

Meteoalarm has issued Red Alert for the East and West Peloponnisos provinces, Ionion Islands, and West Sterea — exceptionally intense meteorological phenomena have been forecast. Major damage and accidents are likely, in many cases with threats to life and limb, over a wide area. Keep frequently informed about detailed expected meteorological conditions and risks. Follow orders and any advice given by your authorities under all circumstances, and be prepared for extraordinary measures.

Along with destructive winds, Cassilda will bring heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding across parts of Greece. Tornadoes are likely, too.

Some models suggest peak wind gusts exceeding 200 km/h (125 mph) and rainfall accumulation from 300 to 500 mm (12 – 20 inches) in 48 hours.

According to the MCC, Cassilda continues to intensify and is preparing to become a dangerous flash flood threat in Greece over the weekend.

At 00:00 UTC on September 17, it had maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph), with gusts to 110 km/h (70 mph), and minimum central pressure of 994 hPa.

The storm was moving NE at 8 km/h (5 mph).

Medicane "Cassilda" at 05:30 UTC on September 17, 2020. Credit: EUMETSAT/Meteosat-8, RAMMB/CIRA​

Image credit: MCC

Featured image: Medicane "Cassilda" at 05:30 UTC on September 17, 2020. Credit: EUMETSAT/Meteosat-8, RAMMB/CIRA