Rick d'Israeli wrote:Now, we have had some serious storms and floods here throughout the last decades (last one in 1995, if I recall it correctly, hundreds of thousands of people evacuated after serious floodings), but I don't recall any hurricane in this part of Europe. Am I correct? Could it be however that what we call a heavy storm, is the European equivalent of a hurricane?
I doubt it Rick. The tropical depressions which spawn hurricanes are created by the climactic conditions in the Sahel and the Sahara. As they move to the west, they pick up moisture, and speed, from the "Trades" when they arrive over the Atlantic. Prevailing winds then carry them further west, picking up energy from the ocean. For a hurricane to hit Europe, it would have to take a very eccentric path, and would be most likely to strike Ireland, Scotland or even Iceland. However, it is probable that this has happened in the past, although i would surmise infrequently.
