Today a storm blew over Europe.
As with hurricanes in the Caribbean, storm fronts in Europe are given names. This one, Emma, is the second severe storm system of this year's winter already, after Paula has hit Central Europe only in january 2008.
These severe storms are called orcans if they reach a certain strength*) (Orkan in German) which derives from the same root as hurricanes (which came to Europe from Maya via the Spanish language whereas the word hurricane came with the English language over the ocean). Orcans we get each year in winter (and sometimes not in winter) - so this is nothing out of the ordinary. But they seldom reach Central Europe, certainly not each year or even twice in one year - and now we've had here in Austria severe storms in two consecutive years (2007 it was Kyrill), and this year already two.
So yet again the question arises wether the climate really changes rapidly here in Europe. Of course three orcans alone don't make for a different climate; but there are plenty of other signs.
This shot was taken on the Wienerberg (the 'Viennese mountain' which is not really a mountain but rather a hill), the skyscrapers mark the top of the hill:
(The goal is a little reminder of the Euro 2008, the European football championship, organised this time by Switzerland and Austria, with the final taking place in Vienna.)
The picture was taken when the worst of the storm was over already (but the storm is supposed to regain its strength overnight, forecast keeps telling us that tomorrow too will be very windy).
In Austria already four people were killed and severe damage was done to infrastructure, buildings and cars. Me I got off lightly: yesterday I parked my car not on the usual spot (even though it was free) where a huge spruce is standing but found another space a little bit further away (with only a small tree nearby). And today indeed the spruce fell exactly on my favorite parking space - it could easily have hit my car, had it been there.
See also: Kirsten
