STORM CATASTROPHE 25 - 28 DECEMBER 1999 - MARTIN
by ZAMG
Analysis of Martin from satellite features
26 December 1999/12.00 UTC - Meteosat IR image
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26 December 1999/12.00 UTC - Meteosat WV image
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Summary of typical and important features for Martin:
- The development of Martin appears within the same broad frontal cloud band as Lothar and Lothar successor;
- A "cloud head" exists from the very beginning: this is a lower cloud part penetrating below the zonal front band in the direction of the
cold air. This is not yet the typical pronounced cloud head of "Rapid Cyclogenesis" in its mature stage of development but it does
indicate possible areas for a Wave and a later development;
- The WV image shows a Dark Stripe to the rear of and along the broad frontal cloud;
- Such a situation can last some time till the "Rapid Cyclogenesis" development starts;
- In the case of Martin, there is a splitting of the "low cloud shield" at the western boundary leading to an independent cold air cloud
like an EC or Comma, probably maintained by a PVA maximum ahead of an upper level trough (rather similar to Lothar and Lothar successor).
The two 1/2 hourly image loops below show the period where the fast development takes place:
27 December 1999/03.00 UTC - Meteosat IR image
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27 December 1999/06.00 UTC - Meteosat IR image
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27 December 1999/06.00 UTC - Meteosat WV image
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- During rapid development there is:
- A rapid development of an intense Dark Stripe between the zonal cloud band and the cloud head within a time scale of about 6 hours
in both: IR and WV;
- A fast and pronounced intensification of a cloud head;
- A subsequent development of a pronounced cloud spiral containing an increasing very dark area in the WV image.
- Further development shows:
- Cloud in the innermost part of the low (at very small scale) rotates several times around the centre which is an indication of
very high wind speed (similar to tropical storms); this is not as pronounced as for Lothar and can be seen only in the low cloud;
- A Comma - like, small to mesoscale line of cells develops near the centre of the surface low; again, this is not as distinct as for
Lothar.