Articles | Volume 7, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-7-567-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-7-567-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
08 Apr 2026
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 08 Apr 2026
| 08 Apr 2026
Contrasting impact of different Mediterranean cyclones on the hydrological cycle and ocean heat content
Yonatan Givon
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
Douglas Keller Jr.
Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique-IPSL, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, ENS, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Palaiseau, France
Philippe Drobinski
Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique-IPSL, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, ENS, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Palaiseau, France
Shira Raveh-Rubin
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Editorial statement
This study details the contribution of different Mediterranean cyclone types (obtained using a potential-vorticity based classification) to the Mediterranean hydrological cycle. The approach allows attributing trends in evaporation E, precipitation P and the net freshwater flux (E-P) to the different frequency and intensity changes of each cyclone category. Of particular interest is the finding that the impact of Mediterranean cyclones on P, E, and E-P substantially varies according to the cyclone type. Therefore, understanding trends in the hydrological cycle in the Mediterranean must go beyond counting cyclones and also look at cyclone types and their specific frequency trends.
This study details the contribution of different Mediterranean cyclone types (obtained using a...
Short summary
We examine the impact of differently driven Mediterranean cyclones on the regional water cycle and ocean heat content based on a process-based classification. Opposing effects of different cyclone drivers are revealed, stemming from variations in both cyclone frequency and intensity. Mediterranean cyclones offset ~quarter of the precipitation-evaporation deficit, steadily shifting towards evaporation-dominated states.
We examine the impact of differently driven Mediterranean cyclones on the regional water cycle...
