The story of the subtropical cyclone that turned the Mediterranean upside down in 1995

Arab Weather - Cyclone Celeno, which formed in mid-January 1995, is one of the most prominent documented examples of subtropical Mediterranean cyclones in the 20th century. This cyclone recorded a central atmospheric pressure of 975 hPa and wind speeds reaching 135 km/h, making it equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

The story of the cyclone began on January 13, 1995, with a weather disturbance north of Libya, accompanied by a convection extending from Tunisia in the south to Greece and Albania in the north. The following day, the disturbance became more organized, with clouds exhibiting a distinct rotational movement, forming a low-pressure system that separated from the cold air to the north and acquired tropical characteristics.

On January 15, 1995, a German steamer passed near the center of the hurricane, where the crew reported violent winds exceeding 140 km/h and a low atmospheric pressure of 975 millibars, confirming the strength of the hurricane, which was equivalent to the strength of a Category 1 hurricane.

During the afternoon, a distinct eye of the storm formed, confirming its fully tropical nature. Originating off the Ionian coast of Greece and moving towards the Libyan coast, the cyclone stands out as a prime example of a Mediterranean storm.