Analysis of the western Mediterranean cyclone characteristics for the past decades

Large scale circulation patterns are highly affected by midlatitude cyclones, their evolution, intensity, associated weather events (e.g., precipitation, consequent flood, etc.). The current study focuses on the western Mediterranean region where cyclones definitely play an important role in shaping the weather and climate of the area. Moreover, this region is considered as one of the most vulnerable areas to climate change, which implies the need for special attention. As the literature highlights, the geographical complexity of the Mediterranean region provides ideal conditions for cyclogenesis. Detailed analyses and a better understanding of the Mediterranean cyclones are crucial to develop proper adaptation strategies addressing future regional climate changes. For this purpose, we aim to analyze western Mediterranean cyclones on the basis of reanalysis data as reference, and then, compare the results of the historical runs of global climate models to the reference results. The analysis uses mean sea level pressure data from 1901 to 2020 with 6-hour temporal resolution, and daily precipitation in the western Mediterranean region and its vicinity. The results can serve as important input for impact modelers to further analysis and for decision makers to take into account when building long-term strategies.