Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 7 hrs ago
Cyclone Harry produced a record 16.6-metre wave in the Mediterranean
Cyclone Harry generated a 16.6-metre wave in the Strait of Sicily, the highest single wave recorded in the Mediterranean.
The storm struck the central Mediterranean from January 19 to 22, 2026, affecting Sardinia, Sicily and Calabria.
Researchers found that local coast and seabed shapes can intensify flooding, so places facing the same storm can suffer very different damage.
In Sardinia, simulations showed 10.22 square kilometres of land flooded, including areas around Cagliari’s Poetto beach.
At Poetto, floodwater extended along 2.5 kilometres of coast and reached up to 150 metres into the urban area, according to the model.
Researchers also found that seismic stations can detect the background vibration made by large waves, offering another way to monitor storms.
The findings could help improve coastal risk planning by identifying vulnerable areas before storms hit.
Cyclone Harry generated a 16.6-metre wave in the Strait of Sicily, the highest single wave recorded in the Mediterranean, according to a new study.
The cyclone affected the central Mediterranean from 19 to 22 January 2026, hitting Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia.
Researchers found that local coastal and seabed features can amplify waves and flooding, causing different impacts in nearby areas.
The study combined satellite, buoy, tide-gauge, seismic and land-survey data with high-resolution simulations.
It was published in Communications Earth & Environment, a journal in the Nature group.
- Who
- Researchers coordinated by the Universities of Bari Aldo Moro and Catania, with contributions from Italian and international institutions.
- What
- A study reported a 16.6-metre wave in the Strait of Sicily, the highest single wave documented in the Mediterranean.
- When
- Cyclone Harry affected the region from 19 to 22 January 2026. The study was published on 2 November 2026.
- Where
- The central Mediterranean, including the Strait of Sicily and the coasts of Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia.
- Why
- The study examined the cyclone’s impacts and found that coastal and seabed features can amplify waves and flooding.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cyclone Harry affected the central Mediterranean, including Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia.
Articles reported the study’s findings and its publication in Communications Earth & Environment.
- Maximum wave
- 16.6 metres in the Strait of Sicily
- Previous record
- 14.2 metres, recorded in Spain during Storm Gloria in 2020
- Study journal
- Communications Earth & Environment
- Sardinia flooded area
- 10.22 square kilometres in the areas analysed
- Seismic stations
- 55 stations recorded peaks in background seismic noise during the storm
3 sources
Ciclone Harry, nel Mediterraneo un’onda record di 16,6 metri: mai così alta
Onde di 8 metri, Poetto sott’acqua per km: i numeri della violenza «senza precedenti» del Ciclone Harry - L'Unione Sarda.it
Ciclone Harry, registrata nel Mediterraneo un’onda record di 16,6 metri: studio guidato dalle Università di Bari e Catania
What people are saying
The study shows that coastal vulnerability depends not only on the intensity of the storm surge, but also on local factors that can be identified before the event.
In this context, microseism is proposed as a complementary tool to traditional sea-state monitoring systems.