Episode 11, 1 February 1986

Analysis

Description

 

Meteorological background

On 30 January, a cyclone developed in the western Mediterranean as part of a larger system centered over the Bay of Biscay, with air pressure dropping to 975 hPa in the center. As this cyclone moved toward the Gulf of Lion, southeast winds over the Adriatic strengthened, turning easterly in some northern areas. By 31 January, as the cyclone advanced toward the Gulf of Genoa and then northward, the winds intensified to strong and gale force. By the night of 1 February, the winds gradually weakened and shifted to the southwest.

 

Sea-level evolution

On 1 February 1986, at 00:00 UTC, the sea level in Bakar rose to 95 cm above the long-term average. This peak coincided with the daily tidal maximum, which contributed 21 cm to the overall sea level. The synoptic component was extraordinary, peaking at 56 cm just an hour after the overall maximum. The absence of 21.5-hour oscillations in the residual series indicates that the synoptic component was primarily driven by a storm surge, contributing 54 cm to the flood.
Additional contributions to the sea-level rise came from processes acting on different time scales (see Figure 1 in the Introduction for detailed explanations): local processes contributed 4 cm, long-period sea-level variability added 6 cm, and mean sea-level changes added 10 cm.

 

In summary, the flood resulted from an exceptionally high storm surge superimposed on positive contributions from other processes.

Newspaper reports

Here are excerpts from reports about the flood from Novi list and Slobodna Dalmacija.

Slobodna Dalmacija, 3 February 1986
Slobodna Dalmacija, 3 February 1986

Vis three days without ferry                                  

This afternoon, with the arrival of the ferry “Vis” in the port of Vis, ferry traffic between the island and the mainland finally returned to normal after an interruption of almost three days. The Sirocco wind had stirred up the Vis Channel, which once again showed its bad temper and made the ferry connection with the mainland impossible. During this time, the island was without newspapers and some food, and travelers were unable to leave the island.

The inhabitants of Vis can hardly remember the last time the island’s sea connection with the mainland was interrupted for so long. In fact, it was believed that the establishment of the “Vis” ferry on the route between the mainland and the island more than ten years ago would finally defeat the vicious Vis Channel. However, it seems that it has once again, for the umpteenth time, confirmed what generations of Vis inhabitants have known for centuries.

Novi list, 3 February 1986
Novi list, 3 February 1986

FURY OF THE SIROCCO WIND

Sunken boats

PULA – The heavy storm that has swept over the Pula area twice in recent days has caused considerable material damage to public and private property. Many boats were sunk in harbors or torn from their moorings. In Fažana, a heavy storm caused considerable material damage to the “Arenaturist” restaurant “Fažana”, where vases in front of the restaurant were destroyed and the door was also damaged. In the Šijana district, many blinds were destroyed on some buildings and many window panes were broken.