As we have already informedon Monday, August 19, the luxury yacht “Bayesian” sank off the coast of Porticello in Sicily. There were 22 people on board, at least 5 of whom died. Among the identified victims is the owner of the vessel, multi-billionaire Mike Lynch. Meteorologists are currently wondering what led to the deterioration in weather conditions that most likely caused the sinking of the modern yacht.
The yacht was allegedly hit by a waterspout. What contributed to the dangerous phenomenon?
CNN reported that the Italian Coast Guard reported hitting a “Bayesian” waterspout that was recorded in the European Severe Weather Database around that time. Waterspouts are a type of tornado that occurs directly over the surface of bodies of water. Interestingly, scientists at the University of Barcelona say they are more likely to occur when the water is warmer, linking the occurrence of waterspouts to climate change.
However, according to University of Reading meteorologist Peter Inness, this cannot be said with certainty. The expert told CNN that waterspouts require not only heat but also wind and temperature differences between the air and the sea.
Warmer waters resulting from climate change are expected to lead to increasingly severe storms
The current water temperature off the coast of Sicily, where the tragedy occurred, is 30 degrees Celsius. According to Inness, when the waters are hot, they can pump more energy into the atmosphere, which will turn into strong winds and violent air currents during storms. Warm air also holds more moisture, which leads to heavier rainfall. A researcher from the Institute of Marine Sciences in Spain Justino Martinez commented to CNN that the storm that hit Sicily arrived from the west, where it had previously drawn energy from high ocean temperatures.
– Global warming, and in particular the warming of the Mediterranean Sea, is likely to lead to the intensification of a number of potentially dangerous weather systems in the region, added Peter Inness. The Mediterranean Sea is expected to be an important point on the on the map climate change because it is warming about 20 percent faster than the global average.