VERTICAL STRUCTURE OF SYNOPTIC SCALE CYCLONES CAUSING FLOOD EVENTS IN THE ISLAND OF CRETE

In this study, an attempt is made to study synoptic scale cyclones causing flood events occurring in Crete Island, during the period 1990 2010 and explore their vertical structure. Furthermore, a comparison is made with the population of cyclones passing over Crete during the same period. The atmospheric circulation conditions during the flood events were examined using the 0.5 degrees x 0.5 degrees spatial resolution of ERA-INTERIM reanalysis data. The Melbourne University Cyclone Tracking Algorithm (MS scheme) was employed to examine the genesis, tracks, radius, depth and intensity of these cyclones while the vertical profile of the cyclones was examined with the aid of the vertical tracing software, VTS (Vertical Tracking Scheme). The classification of the tracks according to their origin domain reveals that the vast majority originate mainly over the North African coasts and South Italy, contrasting the preference of all cyclones passing over Crete to develop within Southeast Mediterranean. Additionally, cyclones associated with the flood events are more intense than the cyclonic population and catch their minimum pressure near Crete, with north - westward tilting with height. Furthermore, it was verified that about 84% of the cyclones extend up to 500hPa. The cyclones mainly appear as closed systems at 500 hPa, revealing characteristics of vertically organized baroclinic systems.