STORM Bernard, which wrought havoc across the province of Cadiz and left two dead, has been likened to a ‘tropical cyclone’ in its destructive behaviour.
Humongous gusts of wind up to an incredible 120km/h ripped up trees and knocked down power lines, leaving thousands of people without electricity.
The cities of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María, and Cadiz were soaked in rainfall that brought localised flooding.
Now experts at Spanish weather agency Aemet have described Storm Bernard, which swept in from the Atlantic on Sunday, as something approaching a storm found in the tropics.
Dr JJ Gonzalez Aleman noted that the storm exhibited ‘physical and dynamic characteristics more typical of tropical cyclones.’
This is due to the rapid weakening of the storm upon making landfall, a behaviour more commonly associated with tropical cyclones.
It suggests that ‘the physical processes of heat exchange and moisture/evaporation with the ocean’ played a significant role in the energy of this weather phenomenon.
The storm also appears to be an isolated event.
Aemet also reports that there are currently ‘no active weather warnings in Andalucía.’
Temperatures are expected to remain around normal for the time of year.
Some rainfall is anticipated later this week due to the arrival of Atlantic fronts, although these are not expected to impact the easternmost part of the region.
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