Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
North Central states face daily bouts of severe weather. Click here for more details Chevron right

Columbus, OH

80°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

80°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Newsletters

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

What is a 'medicane'?

By Adam Douty, AccuWeather senior meteorologist & Carolyn Sistrand, AccuWeather staff writer

Published Oct 25, 2019 2:18 PM EDT

Copied

'Medicane' is a term that is being used more often that refers to a strong storm system across the Mediterranean Sea, but what exactly is it?

Medicane is a combination of the two words "Mediterranean" and "hurricane." Although it is not official terminology, the name separates the regional differences that these storms have, compared to tropical storms, cyclones or hurricanes.

"It has been more in the last 20 years that we have seen these being reported," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys. "The last third of the year, essentially fall and earlier winter, is when we see them."

A medicane is more of a tropical stormlike cyclone. They form when a non-tropical storm feeds off the warm waters of the Mediterranean. The storm can then begin to strengthen and develop tropical storm characteristics.

The area that typically experiences a medicane is central Mediterranean countries like Greece, Italy or Turkey, for example.

So what really makes a medicane different from other systems?

"They are short-lived, very rarely will we see them last a few days," said Roys. "Typically, they are not going to be big. They can quickly spin up within a 24-hour period, and 24 hours later, they could be gone."

Roys added that the quick storm can still incite flash flooding and mudslides, especially in the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean. These areas often experience strong winds due to the terrain. However, the even stronger winds from a medicane could cause even more extensive damage.

Medicanes, however, do not typically progress into anything more severe.

"The odds of a medicane developing into a major hurricane-strength system are extremely small," said Roys. "There is not a classified system with categories [for medicanes]. Very rarely do they produce anything over 120-130 mph, equivalent to a Category 3 or 4 hurricane."

Although a medicane is not a hurricane, many times they try to form an eye that could resemble one of a hurricane. They also spin like other tropical systems.

There is no agency that officially tracks medicanes.

Report a Typo
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.
Comments
Hide Comments

Weather News

Weather News

Wildfire smoke to limit number of days with deep blue sky this summer

Jun. 12, 2025
Weather News

More rain, temperature swings ahead for the Northeast

Jun. 15, 2025
Weather News

Children swept away among at least 49 killed in South Africa flooding

Jun. 11, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather News

How the Air India plane came crashing to earth

2 days ago

Severe Weather

North-central US faces daily bouts of severe weather

8 hours ago

Weather Forecasts

More stormy downpours for northeast US, but big heat is on horizon

31 minutes ago

Weather Forecasts

Father’s Day forecast: West to have best weather

8 hours ago

Weather News

At least 8 dead in San Antonio after months of rain fell in hours

1 day ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Climate

If crucial ocean currents collapses, weather impact would be extreme

3 days ago

Weather News

No injuries after JetBlue plane rolls onto grass after landing

2 days ago

Astronomy

Accidental find in planetarium could shift understanding of solar syst...

4 days ago

Climate

New Zealand sued over ‘inadequate’ plan to reduce emissions

4 days ago

Weather News

New images reveal treasures aboard ‘holy grail’ shipwreck

3 days ago

AccuWeather Weather News What is a 'medicane'?
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...