Winter Storm Joachim Causes Widespread Power Outages, Travel Disruptions in Western Europe

According to catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide, late last week, winter storm Joachim developed over the Atlantic and became a severe extratropical cyclone over Western Europe. With a central pressure that reached as low as 963.8 mb and wind gusts exceeding 150 km/h, the storm’s strength was akin to that of a weak hurricane. Joachim’s warm front carried warm and moist air into Europe, causing heavy rain and snow in combination with high winds. The storm caused power outages and travel disruption in France, Germany, and Switzerland. “On the evening…

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Northern UK Battered by Windstorm Friedhelm

According to catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide, a red alert has been issued for winds in Scotland by the Met Office, indicating that “widespread structural damage” was likely; flood alerts for 12 rivers and lakes in Cumbria were issued; and the Government issued its first winter Health Alert for England, alerting hospitals to prepare for increased activity. “Windstorm Friedhelm began as a depression over the northern Atlantic, but as it approached the British Isles, it experienced a rapid drop of pressure that caused its wind speeds to soar, reaching in…

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