Borrasca: What is it, how it is formed and difference with an anticyclone

A storm is a meteorological phenomenon that is characterized by a low atmospheric pressure zone in which hot air rises and cold air replaces it. This movement generates instability in the atmosphere, leading to adverse climatic conditions, such as heavy rains, intense winds and even storms.

The storms usually form in regions where air masses interact with different temperatures and moisture, especially in Medium latitudeswhere frontal systems are common. For this reason, they are frequent in autumn and winter, when temperatures vary considerably between different areas.

This type of phenomenon is fundamental in the natural cycle of the climate, since Contributes to thermal equilibrium of the planet and the transport of moisture to areas that need it. However, the most intense storms can cause significant damage, such as floods, energy cuts and transport difficulties.

The formation of the storms is related to the Contrast between air masses of different characteristics. This process usually begins in areas where the cold and dense air of the polar regions interacts with the warmer and more light air of the tropical regions. These differences generate a front, that is, a separation line between the two air masses, and this front is key to the development of storms.

When Hot air ascendsbecause it is less dense, a partial vacuum is generated that gives rise to a low pressure zone. This ascent causes the Water vapor condensation in the airforming clouds and rainfall. Meanwhile, cold air tends to move towards the low pressure zone to fill that void, which intensifies the winds.

The terrestrial turn, through the Coriolis effect, influences the movement of the winds around storm, causing them to turn anti -Horary in the northern hemisphere and in a schedule in the southern hemisphere. This turn helps to organize the system and keep it active.

There are different types of storms, but the most common are the calls “Extrophopic storms”which are usually formed in average latitudes. In contrast, tropical storms, such as hurricanes, develop in warmer regions and have a different origin, related to ocean water heating.

The process of assigning names to the storms aims facilitate your identification and communicationespecially in the media, to alert the population about the possible associated risks. The names allow both meteorologists and the general public to refer to a concrete phenomenon clearly and easily, especially in emergency situations.

In Europe, the names of the significant storms are assigned by weather groups that work togetheras the consortium formed by the State Meteorology Agency of Spain (AEMET), the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the atmosphere (IPMA) and the Meteorological Service of France (Météo-France). This consortium, known as the southwest group, is responsible for appointing the storms that could cause severe impacts in the region. Similarly, other areas of Europe, such as the United Kingdom and Ireland, have their own denomination systems, although with coordination between neighboring countries to avoid confusion.

Names are usually chosen at the beginning of each season of Borrascas (usually in autumn) and organize in a previously agreed list. Male and female names alternate following the alphabetical order, and those that can generate misunderstandings or are too similar to names of previous phenomena are avoided. In addition, if a storm is especially devastating, its name can be removed so as not to be used again, similar to what happens with hurricanes.

Examples of storms names:

• Borrasca Filomena (2021): It caused strong snowfall and low temperatures in Spain, with an especially significant impact in Madrid, where historical snowfalls were recorded.
• Borrasca Gloria (2020): It caused torrential rains, hurricane winds and a large wave on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, leaving serious material damage.
• Borrasca Gérard (2023): One of the recent storms in Europe, with intense rains and dangerous wind gusts in several regions.

The main difference between a storm and an anticyclone lies in the atmospheric pressure and effects They generate in the weather. While a storm is associated with low pressure areas and unstable conditions, an anticyclone is characterized by high pressure and a more stable climate. Let’s see what are the main differences between these two atmospheric situations:

In a storm the pressure is lowwhich means that hot air rises. The air moves towards the center of low pressure, where it rises and generates cloudiness and rainfall. It is associated with bad weathersuch as heavy rains, storms, strong winds and even snow in cold regions. Due to the Coriolis effect, in the northern hemisphere the winds revolve in an anti -Horary sense, while in the southern hemisphere they do it in a schedule. The storms are usually shorter and more dynamic, since they move quickly through the affected regions.

On the other hand, In an antichichin the atmospheric pressure is highwhich means that cold air descends to the surface. The air descends, heats up and moves out, moving away from the center of high pressure. Normally, it is associated with Good weatherclear skies and soft winds. However, in winter it can cause persistent frosts or mists, and in summer, heat waves. In the northern hemisphere, the winds revolve in a schedule, while in the southern hemisphere they do it in an anti -Horary sense. Anticyclones are usually more stable and can remain stationary for days or weeks.

If you want to read more articles similar to Borrasca: What is it, how it is formed and difference with an anticyclonewe recommend that you enter our category of meteorological phenomena.