Storm Poly was an extremely violent European windstorm which affected Benelux, Germany, and the United Kingdom during July 2023. The thirty-seventh windstorm of the 2022–23 European windstorm season, Poly was named by the Free University of Berlin on 4 July. It later became the most intense summer storm to impact the Netherlands, bringing destructive gusts to the nation, peaking at 146 km/h (91 mph) in IJmuiden.[1][2][3] In Germany, lesser winds of 80–97 kilometres per hour (50–60 mph) were recorded.[4] In total, two fatalities occurred: one in the Netherlands,[5] and another in Germany.[6] Poly caused at least €50,000,000 (2023) in damages.[7]
 | |
| Formed | 4 July 2023 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | 7 July 2023 |
| Highest gust | 90 mph (150 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 988 mb (29.18 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Damage | €50,000,000 (2023) |
| Areas affected | |
Part of the 2022–23 European windstorm season | |
Preparations and impacts edit
The Netherlands edit
The Netherlands was affected the most by the storm.[3] A red wind warning was issued for the provinces of North Holland, Flevoland and Friesland as strong gusts were expected.[8] In the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, around 400 flights were canceled.[9] Hundreds were stranded in Amsterdam's central station since several domestic and overseas rail services were cancelled.[5] Hurricane-force winds were measured in the province of Noord-Holland. Poly was the first very severe storm in the Netherlands since the 18th of January 2018. It was also the first very severe storm in the summer.
Germany edit
The Deutscher Wetterdienst issued a level-three red warning for most of northern Germany, including Hamburg.[10] High-speed rail services to Cologne and Hamburg were cut off.[5] Additionally, some ferries from Germany to islands off the north coast were cancelled, while powerful gusts toppled trees, disrupting a line between Hamburg and Sylt.[11]
Elsewhere edit
The precursor low-pressure area to Poly would produce heavy rain for East Anglia, causing a game in Wimbledon to be postponed.[12] In Belgium, the Royal Meteorological Institute issued a code-yellow alert for all of the Flemish provinces, excluding Flemish Brabant, on July 5.[13] When Poly affected Belgium, it primarily brought severe thunderstorms and locally intense gusts to the nation.[14]
Highest wind gust per country edit
| Country | Gust | Location |
|---|---|---|
 Belgium
|
114 km/h (71 mph) | De Panne |
 Germany
|
119 km/h (74 mph) | Leuchtturm Alte Weser |
 Netherlands
|
146 km/h (91 mph) | IJmuiden |
 United Kingdom
|
150 km/h (93 mph) | Lowestoft |
References edit
- ^ https://www.eumetsat.int/storm-poly
- ^ "Storm Poly – Strongest summer storm on record hits the Netherlands". Watchers. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Poly is zwaarste zomerstorm ooit gemeten". Weer.nl (in Dutch). 5 July 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Rare, potent summer windstorm turns deadly in Netherlands and Germany". AccuWeather. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Two dead as strongest summer storm blasts Netherlands, Germany". phys.org. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ NDR. "Sturmtief "Poly": Bahnverkehr stabilisiert sich nach Unwetter". www.ndr.de (in German). Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Sanou, Hanneke (6 July 2023). "Damage done by Poly estimated at €50-100m but could be higher". DutchNews.nl. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Waarom zo laat naar code rood? 'Pas om 07.00 uur duidelijk hoe erg het werd'". nos.nl (in Dutch). 5 July 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Chaos op Schiphol: 400 vluchten geschrapt, tientallen vliegtuigen kunnen niet landen". www.nhnieuws.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Weather tracker: Storm Poly lashes Germany and the Netherlands | Netherlands | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Storm Poly lashes the Netherlands and parts of Germany, causing 2 deaths and canceled flights". AP News. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Wimbledon rain turns into Storm Poly with midweek red wind warnings for the Netherlands". www.netweather.tv. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Times, The Brussels. "Code yellow extended in Flanders and Liège until Wednesday evening". www.brusselstimes.com. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Colin, Clapson (5 July 2023). "Code yellow weather warning in Flanders". vrtnws.be. Retrieved 15 January 2024.