Cyclone Andrea

Cyclone Andrea

Surface weather map of 4 January 2012
Type	European windstorm, Extratropical cyclone, Winter storm
Formed	January 3, 2012
Dissipated	January 9, 2012
Lowest pressure	964 mb (28.5 inHg)
Highest gust	176 km/h (109 mph) at Feldberg and Zugspitze
Damage	$350 million (2012 USD)
Areas affected	Iceland, Ireland, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland

Cyclone Andrea was an intense European windstorm that affected western and central Europe in early January 2012.

Closely following Cyclone Ulli, the first named storm of 2012 formed SW of Iceland, moving down into the North Sea affecting UK, Netherlands, Denmark and Germany.

All low-pressure areas that affect Europe are named by the Free University of Berlin. The Free University of Berlin have six lists of names which they use each year. Every even year they use female names, while every odd year they use male names.

Across the UK 100,000 homes were left without electricity. Widespread damage occurred in Nottinghamshire, with more than 900 homes left without power. The roofs of two houses were blown off in Lincolnshire, with many roads closed and fallen trees. The worst affected area was Southern Scotland where several weather stations reported their highest gust on record. More than 100,000 Scottish homes and businesses were left without electricity. Gusts of 102 mph (164 km/h) were recorded in Edinburgh.

As the storm crossed the North Sea, the combination of low pressure, shallow waters and high winds piling water against the coast led to a storm surge developing along the coast. Across the North Sea coast of Europe the storm surge combined with heavy rains leading to flooding. The first week of January 2012, brought 70–90 mm of rain in the Netherlands, the usual amount for the whole of January. Storm Andrea brought strong winds (up to force 9) thunder and hail Due to the high sea levels, the heavy rainfall could not be discharged as easily from the land without the risk of coastal flooding.

In the West coast of the Netherlands high water was recorded at 2.30 metres above normal at the Hook of Holland, with Rotterdam expecting sea levels 2.48 metres above normal. Operations in the port of Rotterdam were limited with eleven ships unable to leave, and two unable to enter. Pilot services for vessels coming into the port were also restricted. Most flights were disrupted at Amsterdam Schiphol airport. Ferry services were also withdrawn to the Islands off the Dutch coast.

Dyke leaking in northern Netherlands in danger of breaching saw residents evacuated by the army and police

In Nord Rhein Westphalia the Rhine rose to flood levels close to Cologne, with vessels restricted to the middle of the river and flood defences being deployed. The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) issued warnings for expected storm surges along the Northern German coast in North Frisia and Hamburg. Trees fell onto power lines in the state of Saxony, leaving thousands without power, also in middle Saxony and Bautzen. In Regensburg the roof of a furniture store was badly damaged. Damage to the English Garden in Munich. A local train is derailed by a fallen tree at Reken in Münsterland, four passengers and the driver escaped without harm. Railway was closed after a tree fell on a train in Geltendorf, Augsburg.