Waterspout Outbreak Environments and Forecasting in Greece

Waterspout outbreaks are very impressive phenomena defined as multiple waterspouts successively forming in a specific area. This study presents the twelve largest waterspout outbreak cases that have occurred in the last two decades (2000–May 2023) in Greece. Synoptic data indicated a closed low (CLO...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Michalis V. Sioutas, Wade M. Szilagyi, Maria M. Christodoulou, Eleni A. Chatzi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Environmental Sciences Proceedings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4931/26/1/126
Description
Summary:Waterspout outbreaks are very impressive phenomena defined as multiple waterspouts successively forming in a specific area. This study presents the twelve largest waterspout outbreak cases that have occurred in the last two decades (2000–May 2023) in Greece. Synoptic data indicated a closed low (CLOSED) pattern prevailed during waterspout outbreaks over the Aegean and Ionian Seas. A variety of convective parameters were examined, including most unstable CAPE (MUCAPE), mixed-layer lifting condensation level (MLLCL), low-layer shear (LLS) and 0–1 storm-relative helicity (SRH). The Szilagyi Waterspout Index (SWI) is applied successfully and is suggested for further consideration and application in waterspout operational forecasting.
ISSN:2673-4931