Mediterranean low

meteorology

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June 30, 2026

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A Mediterranean low, also known as a Mediterranean cyclone, is a weather system that develops over the Mediterranean Sea. These cyclones are characterized by strong winds and can bring heavy rainfall, leading to significant flooding events, as seen with Storm Daniel in 2023.1

The Mediterranean climate itself is defined by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, with significant variations in rainfall across different coastal regions. The sea's high evaporation rates, influenced by winds funneled through mountain gaps, contribute to its salinity and affect atmospheric conditions. These factors can lead to intense weather phenomena, sometimes resembling tropical storms, and are increasingly linked to climate change.231

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Europe
Air pressure belts
…a high-pressure ridge; the (winter) Mediterranean low; the Siberian high, centred over Central Asia in winter but extending westward; and the Asiatic low, a low-pressure summertime system over southwestern Asia. Given those pressure conditions, westerly winds prevail in northwestern Europe, becoming especially strong in winter. The winter westerlies, often from…
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…a high-pressure ridge; the (winter) Mediterranean low; the Siberian high, centred over Central Asia in winter but extending westward; and the Asiatic low, a low-pressure summertime system over southwestern Asia. Given those pressure conditions, westerly winds prevail in northwestern Europe, becoming especially strong in winter. The winter westerlies, often from…
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