Storm Poly
 | |
| Formed | 4 July 2023 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | 7 July 2023 |
| Highest gust | 90 mph (150 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 992 mb (29.29 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Damage | €50,000,000 (2023) |
| Areas affected | |
Part of the 2022–23 European windstorm season | |
Storm Poly was an extratropical cyclone 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]
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] Poly was the first very severe storm in the Netherlands since the 18th of January 2018.
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.