Name: Explained: What caused the deadly floods in Spain?
Uploaded: 2024-11-01T04:02:29.569Z
Duration: 2 min 2 s
Description: Catastrophic flash floods that have killed at least 72 people in Spain are caused by a destructive weather system in which cold and warm air meet and produce powerful rain clouds called DANA.

Catastrophic flash floods that have killed at least 72 people in Spain are caused by a destructive weather system in which cold and warm air meet and produce powerful rain clouds called DANA.

Valencia

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently amid rising sea-levels and increasing temperatures.

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Catastrophic flash floods in Spain have resulted in the deaths of at least 72 people. This extreme weather event was caused by a phenomenon known as D.A.N.A., which stands for a high-altitude isolated depression. This occurs when cold air moves across the warm waters of the Mediterranean, causing hotter air to rise quickly and form powerful rain clouds. Such clouds can hover over an area, leading to prolonged rainfall and increased potential for destruction. 

The event has been described by meteorologists as one of the most intense storms of its kind experienced in the Valencia region in a century. Aside from rain, D.A.N.A. can also result in large hailstorms or tornadoes. Its formation is distinct from typical storms as it can develop independently of polar or subtropical jet streams. Eastern and southern parts of Spain are especially vulnerable due to their geographic location where warm, humid air masses meet cold fronts in a mountainous region.

There is a growing concern among experts that such patterns are becoming more frequent, influenced by climate change. Rising temperatures in the Mediterranean and a warmer atmosphere contribute to these extreme weather conditions. According to experts like Professor Hannah Cloak, this aligns with predictions about climate change leading to increased occurrences of catastrophic weather events. Despite early warnings and reliable forecasts, many fatalities could not be prevented, indicating a need for better public understanding and preparedness for such dangers.



Explained: What caused the deadly floods in Spain?

Catastrophic flash floods in Spain have killed dozens and devastated towns. Meteorologists branded it one of the most intense storms of its type in the last century for the Valencia region. It was caused by a destructive weather system known in Spain as D.A.N.A. It's a phenomenon that occurs when cold air blows over warm Mediterranean waters. Hotter air then rises quickly and powerful dense rain clouds are formed. These clouds can stay over an area for hours, increasing the potential for destruction. As well as rain, meteorologists say that the event can also cause large hailstorms or tornadoes. D.A.N.A., a Spanish acronym for high-altitude isolated depression, differs from common storms. That's because it can form independently of polar or subtropical jet streams. Eastern and southern Spain are particularly susceptible to it due to its position between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, with warm, humid air masses meeting cold fronts in a mountainous region. The pattern is believed to be growing more frequent. And experts like Professor Hannah Cloak say this increase is due to climate change, as a rise in the Mediterranean's temperature and a warmer atmosphere will contribute to more frequent extreme episodes. We're going to see more of these flash floods in the future. This has the fingerprints of climate change on it, these terribly heavy rainfalls and these devastating floods. She said even early warnings of heavy rain, based on reliable forecasts, did little to prevent fatalities. We must help people understand the danger they're in. We must help people understand, imagine these volumes of water running through their streets and into their homes. Just telling people that it's going to rain quite a lot is not good enough. People don't understand what to do. They don't have the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe.

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