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Deadly Storm Ciarán breaks records in France and UK

Ben Domensino, Friday November 3, 2023 - 11:27 AEDT

Storm Ciarán broke wind and air pressure records in France, England, Wales as the deadly low pressure system slammed into western Europe on Wednesday night and Thursday.

Storm Ciarán was named by the UK Met Office on Monday when a region of low pressure started to emerge over the North Atlantic Ocean. Just two days later, the system underwent a period of rapid intensification – a process called explosive cyclogenesis – before slamming into Western Europe on Wednesday night and Thursday.

Video: Storm Ciarán hitting Western Europe before moving away to the northwest. Source: CSU/CIRA & EUMETSAT

The powerful low pressure system produced wind gusts of 172 km/h at Cap de la Hève when it reached France. Some places in Northern France even set new records during Ciarán’s ferocious winds, including 170 km/h at Lanvéoc and 163 km/h at Landivisiau and Saint-Ségal. A wind gust of 193 km/h was also reported at Plougonvelin, although Météo-France has advised that this reading should be treated with caution.

The UK Met Office also reported that Storm Ciarán set new records for the lowest mean sea level pressure measured in England and Wales during November. In England, Plymouth registered 953.3 hPa, beating the country’s previous November record of 959.7 hPa from 1916. St Athan’s 958.5 hPa beat the previous Welsh November record of 962.7 hPa from 2010.

?? #StormCiarán has set a new record for the lowest mean sea level pressure recorded in England and Wales in November, with a value of 953.3 hPa (mb) in Plymouth and 958.5 hPa (mb) in St Athan

? The previous record in England was 959.7 hPa (mb), set in 1916

? The previous… pic.twitter.com/zruckdYR2K

— Met Office (@metoffice) November 2, 2023

According to reports, Storm Ciarán has caused at least seven deaths and left dozens injured, while tens of thousands of homes and businesses were left without power.

Storm Ciarán will continue to move over the North Sea on Friday, allowing calmer weather to return to Western Europe. Another front and low pressure system will bring another round of rain and blustery winds this weekend, although conditions won’t be as intense as Ciarán.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2023

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