TY - JOUR
T1 - Mediterranean Cyclones in a Changing Climate
T2 - A Review on Their Socio-Economic Impacts
AU - Khodayar, Samira
AU - Kushta, Jonilda
AU - Catto, Jennifer L.
AU - Dafis, Stavros
AU - Davolio, Silvio
AU - Ferrarin, Christian
AU - Flaounas, Emmanouil
AU - Groenemeijer, Pieter
AU - Hatzaki, Maria
AU - Hochman, Assaf
AU - Kotroni, Vassiliki
AU - Landa, Jaromir
AU - Láng-Ritter, Ilona
AU - Lazoglou, Georgia
AU - Liberato, Margarida L.R.
AU - Miglietta, Mario Marcello
AU - Papagiannaki, Katerina
AU - Patlakas, Platon
AU - Stojanov, Robert
AU - Zittis, George
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025. The Author(s).
PY - 2025/6
Y1 - 2025/6
N2 - The Mediterranean Basin, renowned for its cultural, ecological, and climatic significance, frequently endures high-impact weather events driven by Mediterranean cyclones (Medcyclones), atmospheric low-pressure systems characterized by counterclockwise wind circulation. These meteorological phenomena, sometimes comparable to hurricanes in their intensity and impact, shape the region's weather and are responsible for diverse natural hazards, including torrential rainfall, flash floods, windstorms, and sea surges. Such events have profound and far-reaching socio-economic and ecological consequences, particularly for coastal and densely populated areas. Despite their critical role, the systematic assessment of Medcyclones' contribution to socio-economic losses and the effective communication of associated risks remains limited. This review synthesizes the existing body of knowledge on the socio-economic impacts of Medcyclones, with a focus on vulnerable sectors such as human health, energy, transportation, agriculture, and cultural heritage. It highlights pressing knowledge gaps, including the need for interdisciplinary research and improved engagement with stakeholders and the public. Advancing the field, this work provides an integrated perspective on Medcyclones' impacts and outlines strategies for resilience, including enhancing predictive models, fostering cross-sectoral impact studies, and improving disaster preparedness. By bridging the knowledge gaps, this review aims to inform policy-making and support the development of adaptive measures to mitigate the escalating threats posed by Medcyclones in the context of a changing climate.
AB - The Mediterranean Basin, renowned for its cultural, ecological, and climatic significance, frequently endures high-impact weather events driven by Mediterranean cyclones (Medcyclones), atmospheric low-pressure systems characterized by counterclockwise wind circulation. These meteorological phenomena, sometimes comparable to hurricanes in their intensity and impact, shape the region's weather and are responsible for diverse natural hazards, including torrential rainfall, flash floods, windstorms, and sea surges. Such events have profound and far-reaching socio-economic and ecological consequences, particularly for coastal and densely populated areas. Despite their critical role, the systematic assessment of Medcyclones' contribution to socio-economic losses and the effective communication of associated risks remains limited. This review synthesizes the existing body of knowledge on the socio-economic impacts of Medcyclones, with a focus on vulnerable sectors such as human health, energy, transportation, agriculture, and cultural heritage. It highlights pressing knowledge gaps, including the need for interdisciplinary research and improved engagement with stakeholders and the public. Advancing the field, this work provides an integrated perspective on Medcyclones' impacts and outlines strategies for resilience, including enhancing predictive models, fostering cross-sectoral impact studies, and improving disaster preparedness. By bridging the knowledge gaps, this review aims to inform policy-making and support the development of adaptive measures to mitigate the escalating threats posed by Medcyclones in the context of a changing climate.
KW - cultural heritage
KW - energy
KW - food security
KW - human health
KW - Mediterranean cyclones
KW - operational databases
KW - socio-economic impacts
KW - transportation and infrastructures
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105004262456&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1029/2024RG000853
DO - 10.1029/2024RG000853
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AN - SCOPUS:105004262456
SN - 8755-1209
VL - 63
JO - Reviews of Geophysics
JF - Reviews of Geophysics
IS - 2
M1 - e2024RG000853
ER -