Forecasters are warning that a tropical-like cyclone is due to hit Greek islands, bringing gale-force winds and possible landslides.

The storm has been labelled a 'Medicane', which combines the words Mediterranean and hurricane.

The poor weather is being caused by an area of low pressure developing in the Mediterranean Sea off the northern coast of Africa.

Heavy rainfall and flash flooding in Tunisia and Libya over the last week have killed at least five people.

The storm is expected to hit islands in the Ionian Sea, to the southwest of the Greek mainland, on Friday.

Sky's weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "There is some uncertainty on the track of this storm, but parts of southeast Europe and northeast Libya will see damaging winds, dangerous seas and significant rainfall.

"At the moment, southern Greece looks most at risk this weekend, particularly Crete.

"This system is capable of bringing severe gales, along with up to 250mm of rain in 24 hours."

She added that flash flooding and landslides are possible.

Most schools have already been closed and ferries on some islands have remained in ports, severing their connections to the mainland.

Trees have fallen on power lines in the northern suburbs of Athens, while the fire department said it received more than 350 calls to remove debris.

Authorities in the Saronic municipality near Athens, on the Ionian island of Zakynthos and the Aegean islands of Tinos, Andros and Mykonos ordered schools to remain shut.

The last notable Medicane was back in 2014, bringing gusts of up to 96mph in Malta. </s> A powerful and rare hurricane-like storm is set to hit the eastern Mediterranean this weekend.

The hybrid storm, often called a “Medicane” (Mediterranean + hurricane) has features similar to hurricanes and typhoons, CNN reported on Friday.

According to a study published in 2011, only about one or two “Medicanes” occur per year.

These powerful storms usually happen during the months of September and October, when sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean are still quite warm, although they can occur at any time of year.

The current storm triggered flash flooding across Tunisia and Libya over the past few days before moving north over the Mediterranean towards Europe.

Over the sea, the storm is likely to pick up more tropical-like features normally associated with hurricanes, such as gale-force winds and even an eye in its centre.

The system is expected to move slowly over the island of Crete and southern Greece on Saturday before picking up speed and heading into western Turkey on Sunday.

Areas of Greece and Turkey will be hit with heavy rains and very strong winds.

The Medicane will likely get absorbed into the upper-level jet stream and will not linger over southeastern Europe, which will limit the amount of flooding from the storm. </s> (CNN) People in Greece and Turkey are bracing themselves for a rare and powerful hurricane-type storm in southern Europe's Mediterranean region, due to hit this weekend.

The storm, often called a "Medicane" (Mediterranean + hurricane) has features similar to hurricanes and typhoons.

Spectacular visible satellite animation of #Medicane in the Ionian sea right now, it continues organizing and deepening while moving north. Pressure at 994 mbar, sustained winds around 100 km/h. Source: @meteociel

Forecast track details: https://t.co/LvjXFASDeM pic.twitter.com/SJ62FsMzPX — severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) September 28, 2018

According to a study published in 2011 , only about 1-2 "Medicanes" occur per year. These powerful storms usually happen during the months of September and October, when sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean are still quite warm, although they can occur at any time of year.

The current storm, called Zorba, triggered flash flooding across Tunisia and Libya over the past few days before moving north over the Mediterranean towards Europe.

A man walks alongside the Rafina Port during heavy storm in Athens, Greece on September 28.

Over the sea, the storm is likely to pick up more tropical-like features normally associated with hurricanes, such as gale-force winds and even an eye in its center.

Read More </s> London, Sep 28 (IANS) A powerful and rare hurricane-like storm is set to hit the eastern Mediterranean this weekend.

The hybrid storm, often called a “Medicane” (Mediterranean + hurricane) has features similar to hurricanes and typhoons, CNN reported on Friday.

According to a study published in 2011, only about one or two “Medicanes” occur per year.

These powerful storms usually happen during the months of September and October, when sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean are still quite warm, although they can occur at any time of year.

The current storm triggered flash flooding across Tunisia and Libya over the past few days before moving north over the Mediterranean towards Europe.

Over the sea, the storm is likely to pick up more tropical-like features normally associated with hurricanes, such as gale-force winds and even an eye in its centre.

The system is expected to move slowly over the island of Crete and southern Greece on Saturday before picking up speed and heading into western Turkey on Sunday.

Areas of Greece and Turkey will be hit with heavy rains and very strong winds.

The Medicane will likely get absorbed into the upper-level jet stream and will not linger over southeastern Europe, which will limit the amount of flooding from the storm. </s> Medicane Zorbas, a Mediterranean hurricane-like storm, will target southeastern Europe with a deluge of rain throughout the weekend after sparking flash floodings in Tunisia and Lybia erarlier in the week. A shocking STV graphic shows Zorbas strenghtening in the Mediterranean later on Friday before moving towards the southeast of Europe between Saturday and Sunday. The southern mainland of Greece, the Cyclades Islands, Crete, Rhodes and the Kos area are expected to be the worst hit, according to the latest path track. Medicane Zorbas will steadily move towards Turkey where it is expected to hit near the city of Izmir on the Aegean coast.

The Hellenic National Metereological Office has issued a severe weather warning for the Ionian islands on Greece's western coast – including Corfu, Ithaca and Cephalonia. Forecasters have warned Crete and other southern Greek islands can expect as much as 6 inches of rain over the coming days. Izmir and the Greek city of Kalamata could see 2 to 3 inches. AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys said: "At this time, the heaviest rain is expected to fall on the northern and western side of Crete, as well as the other southern Greek islands and southwestern coast of Turkey. "There can be widespread gusts of 60 mph across coastal Crete into southwestern Turkey. Gusts to 80 and 90 mph cannot be ruled out across the southern coast of Crete and the southwestern coast of Turkey."

The coastal area east of capital Athens are also under threat of flash flooding as the area struggles to recover from the devastating fires that killed 99 people over the summer. Mr Roys warned sea levels could build up to 16 feet in areas south of Crete: "Seas this weekend can build to 10-16 feet south of Crete and the waters offshore of southwestern Turkey. Some of the highest seas can reach 22 feet." Medicane Zorbas also reached Italy on Thursday and earlier Friday, forcing authorities to ask locals to be vigilant and stay safe. The popular tourist areas of Abruzzo, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily are expected to be among the worst affected. MeteoAlarm have put amber weather warnings in place across the south of the country, saying: “Damage and casualties are likely to happen. Be aware of the risks. Follow any advice given by your authorities.” Only about 1-2 Medicanes occur per year, according to 2011 study published by several academics and a researcher from the Institute of Coastal Research. The powerful storms usually happen during September and October when sea surface temperatures are still quite warm, but they can occur at any time of the year. </s> These incredible images show a rare cyclone called 'Medicane' which is currently careering across the Mediterranean and set to batter Greece and Turkey this weekend.

Meteorologists are warning that the tropical-like storm is likely to develop features normally associated with a hurricane such as gale-force wings and a fiery eye at its centre.

Medicanes – a combination of the words Mediterranean and hurricane – are most likely during the autumn when the sea is warmer than 59F (15C).

These hybrid storms only occur once or twice a year in the Mediterranean, normally in September or October.

Holidaymakers in Greece and Turkey are bracing for torrential rain and winds of up to 100mph (160kmh).

The Mediterranean hurricane is likely to form in the Ionian Sea to the southwest of the Greek mainland today.

However, these storms cannot officially be called hurricanes, according to Sarah Fecht from Columbia University.

'Medicanes have a lot in common with tropical storms, with strong winds spinning around a core and torrential rainfall', she wrote in her blog, which was spotted by Forbes.

'In 2014, Medicane Qendresa hit Malta with sustained winds of up to 70 miles per hour and gusts of up to 95mph.

'Nevertheless, the waters of the Mediterranean aren’t extensive or warm enough to sustain the strength needed to call these storms legitimate hurricanes', she said.

Although they form over warm waters they do not require the same degree of warmth as a proper hurricane.

Medicanes can develop in water that is warmer than 59F (15C), where as a hurricane requires sea temperature to be at least 80F (27C).

The storm has triggered flash flooding across parts of north Africa over the past few days.

Some parts of the island of Sicily and Greece could see three inches of rain, reported Weather.com.

Although most do not have hurricane strength, forecasters say this one may reach a similar strength to a Category 1 hurricane.

While this is the lowest on the scale used to measure hurricane intensity, storms at this level can still cause significant damage to weakly rooted trees, unanchored buildings or mobile homes.

BBC weather presenter Ben Rich explained earlier this week that the storm is 'driven in part by the very warm waters of the Mediterranean sea but also a blob of cold air high up in the atmosphere.'

The Medicane is set to strike tourist hotspots this week, with ferries stuck in ports today, severing islands' connection to the mainland.

Trees have fallen on power lines in the capital's northern suburbs, while the fire department said it received more than 350 calls to remove debris.

Authorities in the Saronic municipality near Athens, on the Ionian island of Zakynthos and the Aegean islands of Tinos, Andros and Mykonos ordered schools to remain shut. </s> The Medicane – meaning Mediterranean hurricane – has similar qualities of hurricanes and typhoons and has already caused flash flooding across Tunisia and Libya over the past few days. It has now moved north to the Mediterranean and towards Europe. The storm will cause the sea to pick up more tropical-like features normally associated with hurricanes. These include gale-force winds and even an eye in its centre.

Areas of Greece and Turkey will be hit with heavy rains and very strong winds. The system is expected to move slowly over Crete and southern Greece on Saturday before picking up speed and heading into western Turkey on Saturday. Slow moving storms heighten the risk of dangerous flooding, with devastation caused in the US early this year as hurricanes Harvey and Florence creeped through eastern states. On Crete and other souther Greek islands, just four to six inches of rain could fall and lead to flash flooding.

Other cities such as Kalamata in Greece and Izmir in Turkey could see two to three inches of rain. But fortunately the Medicane will likely get absorbed into the upper-level jet streat and will not linger over southeastern Europe. This will limit the amount of flooding from the storm.

Only about 1-2 Medicanes occur per year, according to 2011 study published by several academics and a researcher from the Institute of Coastal Research. The powerful storms usually happen during September and October when sea surface temperatures are still quite warm, but they can occur at any time of the year. </s> People in Greece and Turkey are bracing themselves for a rare and powerful hurricane-type storm in southern Europe’s Mediterranean region, due to hit this weekend.

The storm, often called a “Medicane” (Mediterranean + hurricane) has features similar to hurricanes and typhoons.

According to a study published in 2011, only about 1-2 “Medicanes” occur per year. These powerful storms usually happen during the months of September and October, when sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean are still quite warm, although they can occur at any time of year.

The current storm, called Zorba, triggered flash flooding across Tunisia and Libya over the past few days before moving north over the Mediterranean towards Europe.

Over the sea, the storm is likely to pick up more tropical-like features normally associated with hurricanes, such as gale-force winds and even an eye in its center.

The area currently most under threat are the Ionian islands on Greece’s western coast where the Hellenic National Meterological Office has put out a severe warning.

The system is expected to move slowly over the island of Crete and southern Greece on Saturday before picking up speed and heading into western Turkey on Sunday.

On Crete and other southern islands of Greece, as much as 4 to 6 inches (100 to 150 millimeters) of rain could fall, which could lead to flash flooding. Cities like Izmir, Turkey, and Kalamata, Greece, could see 2 to 3 inches (50 to 60 milllimeters).

That is cause for concern in the Aegean islands, including Lesbos, where thousands of refugees, many from Syria and Iraq, are being held in crowded conditions. Also under threat is the coastal area east of Athens recently devastated by the worst fires on record that killed 99 people.

A number of ferry services connecting Athens to the islands, were not allowed to operate for the last two days but have now largely resumed. Many flights were also grounded due to the strong winds.

Schools in Athens remained closed Friday for precautionary reasons after the gale force winds knocked out power lines in several Greater Athens areas while a felled tree destroyed the roof of a school in western Athens.

Civil protection services will be on alert throughout the weekend, the government said. Civilians have been advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel.

Fortunately, the Medicane will likely get absorbed into the upper-level jet stream and will not linger over southeastern Europe, which will limit the amount of flooding from the storm.

Recent major systems such as hurricanes Harvey and Florence produced catastrophic flooding because of their slow-moving nature. </s> Meteorologists are warning of a high probability of a tropical-like cyclone forming in off the coast of Greece, as gale-force winds continue to batter the country and force the closure of schools.

The Mediterranean hurricane, also known as a medicane, is likely to form in the Ionian Sea to the southwest of the Greek mainland tomorrow.

Holidaymakers in Greece and Turkey are bracing for torrential rain and winds of up to 100mph.

Some parts of the island of Sicily and Greece could see three inches of rain, reported Weather.com.

Medicanes are tropical-like thunderstorms which occur once or twice a year.

Although most do not have hurricane strength, forecasters say this one may reach a similar strength to a Category 1 hurricane.

While this is the lowest on the scale used to measure hurricane intensity, storms at this level can still cause significant damage to weakly rooted trees, unanchored buildings or mobile homes.

BBC weather presenter Ben Rich explained last night that the storm is 'driven in part by the very warm waters of the Mediterranean sea but also a blob of cold air high up in the atmosphere.'

The Medicane is set to strike tourist hotspots this week, with ferries stuck in ports today, severing islands' connection to the mainland.

Trees have fallen on power lines in the capital's northern suburbs, while the fire department said it received more than 350 calls to remove debris.

Authorities in the Saronic municipality near Athens, on the Ionian island of Zakynthos and the Aegean islands of Tinos, Andros and Mykonos ordered schools to remain shut.
A Mediterranean hurricane forms, threatening Libya, Italy, Tunisia, and Greece.