Storm Samuel, also known as Medicane Samuel or Storm Jolina, was a rare March Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone (medicane) that impacted the Central Mediterranean in March 2026. The storm was first identified as a cold-core extratropical cyclone and, on 15 March, was named Samuel by the National Meteorological Service of Andorra.[1] On 17 March, the FUB gave the storm the name Jolina.[2] That same day, the system transitioned into a medicane before eventually dissipating on 19 March after making landfall in Libya.[2]
Meteorological history
RGB water vapor loop of Storm Samuel traversing the Central Mediterranean Sea during the middle of March.
The system began as a frontal cold-cored low-pressure area over the western Mediterranean Sea on 14 March. The next day, it was named Samuel by the National Meteorological Service of Andorra (Meteo Andorra) before being tracked by AEMET.[3] The frontal low slowly meandered in the central Mediterranean, gaining the name Jolina from FUB.[4][5]Microwave soundings and ECMWF model temperature distribution plots began to indicate a gradual transition from a cold-core to warm-core system and had begun decaying from its nearby frontal boundaries,[6] thunderstorm activity followed suit through strong dynamical forcing as Samuel embedded under a pocket of upper-level cold air aloft.[7]ASCAT and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data began to observe a formative eye-like structure as Samuel became stationed over 17°C sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and was located in a low shear environment late on 17 March, it transitioned into a rare Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone before making landfall south of Benghazi in Libya early on 18 March.[8] Prior to landfall, a 09:08 UTC ASCAT-C pass recorded 1-minute sustained winds of 70 kilometres per hour (45mph).[9][2] The CIMSS and ESA had provided sufficient evidence to confirm a transition to a medicane.[10][2][7] However, it is not specified whether Storm Samuel was either a fully-tropical or subtropical storm.
Impact
Spain
During its initial phase, Samuel produced strong wind gusts across numerous areas of Spain, with the strongest recorded being 160 kilometres per hour (100mph) near Barcelona and Girona province. Wave heights near Puertos del Estado reached 13 metres (43ft). These strong winds and rough seas caused power outages across states such as Catalonia, Basque Country, and Galicia, gusts reached up to 140 kilometres per hour (85mph) in some locations of Catalonia.[3] Four people were injured in Spain due to the impacts related to Storm Samuel.[11]
Italy
While meandering in the Central Mediterranean, Samuel caused significant damage across Southern Italy, particularly in the region of Calabria where gale-force winds, prolonged heavy rainfall, and localized hailstorms led to landslides and widespread flooding, unofficial reports mention Calabria received over 220 millimetres (8.7in) of rain in just 24 hours on 17 March. School closures as a result from orange alerts were in effect across much of the country, rainfall continued along surrounding regions of Italy such as Sicily and Basilicata leading to further traffic disruptions. At least 80 people in Cosenza had to be evacuated where impacts were most significant due to rockslides.[12]
Libya
Upon landfall on 18 March, Samuel brought moderate to heavy rains and wind gusts exceeding 90 kilometres per hour (55mph), causing significant flooding in and around the surrounding areas of Tripoli, stranding vehicles and individuals. Satellite analysis confirmed a massive dust advection pulled from the Sahara into the Mediterranean by the storm's intense circulation.[2] One person died while rescuing people stuck in floodwaters in Tajoura.[13]
Egypt
As the remnants of Samuel persisted inland Egypt on 18 March, lingering thunderstorms brought accompanying lightning and strong winds gusting to around 60–70 km/h (35–45 mph). Visibility was reduced to less than 1,000 meters (3,820 ft) in some areas from Saharan dust, and heavy rainfall that posed a flash flood threat across much of the Sinai peninsula and Upper Egypt.[14] Maritime conditions and navigation were disrupted off the Mediterranean coast with wave heights reaching 2.5–3 m (8–10 ft). However, no major damage was recorded.[15][16]
