Cyclone Zorbas
Cyclone Zorbas, or Medicane Zorbas, was the first officially documented Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone, or medicane, since Cyclone Numa in 2017. Zorbas originated as an extratropical cyclone in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Warm sea surface temperatures allowed the system to quickly deepen and transition into a tropical cyclone. Zorbas intensified as it headed northward towards Greece, finally reaching its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 987 mbar (29.15 inHg) on September 29.
Zorbas at peak intensity over the Ionian Sea | |
| Type | Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone |
|---|---|
| Formed | 27 September 2018 |
| Dissipated | 2 October 2018 |
| Highest winds |
|
| Highest gust | 75 mph (120 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 987 mb (29.15 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 6 dead, 2 missing |
| Damage | > $1 million (2018 USD) |
| Areas affected | Tunisia, Libya, Italy, Greece, Turkey |
Heavy rain and flash flooding from Zorbas killed 5 people in Tunisia. One person was killed and two were declared missing in Greece. The storm was estimated to have caused millions of dollars (2018 USD) in damages.