Hurricane force Bura on...

Hurricane force Bura on...

Hurricane force Bura on Novigradsko More Sea, below South Velebit, on the day it was reaching 280km/h with unbelievable sustained wind between 150-190km/h!! And it didn't drop below for 24h! How it is on Velebit at such situation I don't know and it is impossible to imagine; it is deadly that is certain! We would simply be blown away because Bura flips trucks or cars like feather. Force of wind is not the only problem. Hurricane force Bura is usually accompanied by snowfall, which means extreme blizzard conditions and wind chill. But when hurricane force Bura blows one can't even reach Velebit because roads towards it are closed for all traffic. If you are caught by it on Velebit and you aren't in the refuge, well, pray. To know the forecast in winter is essential if you want to visit Velebit. November 14th 2004. >>>>> Normaly in this direction western shore of Novigrad Sea is visible but cloud of fog above the sea made of sea spray hides it. Photo: Aleksandar Gospic
Velebit
on Nov 15, 2004 7:45 am
Image ID: 78299

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Vid Pogachnik

Vid Pogachnik - Nov 15, 2004 1:59 pm - Voted 10/10

I heard for it

I hope, Sasa, that you and your family are OK and that you have no damage!

Velebit

Velebit - Nov 15, 2004 2:28 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: I heard for it

No Vid, we don't, thanks for caring. Zadar is not that exposed to Bura, but even here it went over 100km/h. There are many broken windows and so many pulled out trees. But along the coast damage is enormous. Below Velebit over 100 electricity pillars have be brought down, so many sunken smaller ships, in Rijeka alone over 300 trees went down, roofs flew. On Zadar - Zagreb highway everything beside paintings on the road is destroyed :-) This was amazing Bura, never there have been so many completely closed roads, not a single ferry departed towards any island yesterday. Damage on Pag is also huge. I had to see it live below Velebit and it is one of the most memorable experiences for me! Novigrad was the only accessible place close to Velebit. Wish I could show you the video I have, amazing power and force :-)

Vid Pogachnik

Vid Pogachnik - Nov 15, 2004 5:36 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: I heard for it

Uh, sad news! But I'm happy that you're OK. We should organize a symposium one day.

Velebit

Velebit - Nov 16, 2004 7:03 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: I heard for it

Now when we have more info about the damage I wanted to share it with you Vid. Damage is so huge that it isn't possible to mention all and I don't know all but here are few examples. In Rijeka 40 people were injured, over 300 trees went down, 350 damaged buildings, 350 cars. 2 yachters died. On Pag island sustained wind was 180km/h while it was gusting to 240km/h!! That is simply unbelievable! 90% of smaller private boats that are usually tied to riva went under sea!! Many roofs were blown away. As mentioned already over 100 electricity pillars went down below Velebit. In Posedarje near Zadar one family lost 350 cherry trees of 500, all broken. There are many such examples. Near Sibenik 60% of olives are broken and they had unpicked olives on trees. In Biograd near Zadar oldest pines went down. There are so many blown roofs along the coast and in inner Dalmatia. In Brela, below Biokovo, 1000 pines went down, in Brela alone!!! This was probably strongest Bura since I follow the weather (17 years) and since I live. Old people say they don’t remember something like this. Strongest gust (250km/h) didn’t break the record of 305km/h but power of sustained wind was simply unimaginable (between 160-180km/h below Velebit). So many people made comment that this was ‘Croatian Perfect Storm’ (movie was again on TV just few days ago). Usually hurricane force Bura blows below Velebit, quite less frequently below Biokovo and between Rijeka and Senj but this time it blew along entire coast at same time!! This Bura will be remembered.

Vid Pogachnik

Vid Pogachnik - Nov 17, 2004 5:05 am - Voted 10/10

Re: I heard for it

Terrible news, indeed. And we have on our TV news about those few roofs which went off on Karst, Kobarid and Tolmin! Completely uncomparable.

wuedesau

wuedesau - Nov 21, 2004 1:54 pm - Hasn't voted

250km/h...

...this is really hard to imagine! Storms like this hardly occur on our highest mountains.

Velebit

Velebit - Nov 21, 2004 4:41 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: 250km/h...

Yes Klaus, that is one of the points I want to emphasize. Although Velebit isn't high it has very harsh climate for its altitude and position and when Bura kicks in it creates Himalayan type of weather, like we heard expeditions experienced on 8000m! For example -25°C with wind above 200km/h, that must freeze you in minutes! Well, just returned from two day trip and nothing like what is on the photo above this weekend. Bura was moderate and I had 300km visibility! Weather was perfect although cold. Today I watched Italy across Adriatic all day long!

rokaj

rokaj - Nov 21, 2004 3:08 pm - Hasn't voted

Unbeilievable

Sasa. Really bad to hear, almost not possible to understand. I was close to Brela last year , in Tucepi. And I can not imagine what is 1000 trees. But, it must be damm hard. Nice to hear that you are all OK. Regards and wish you nice weather. ROK

Velebit

Velebit - Nov 21, 2004 4:49 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Unbeilievable

Thanks Rok! Yes, I've seen so many hurricane force Bura's and it's always unbelievable, but this Bura was one of those that are remembered for decades, that enter history books! Not only that I'm OK but I must say that I enjoyed the show on the right spot! I know many people had so much damage but I always admired forces of nature and Bura is my favorite event in local weather. Cheers and nice weather to you too!

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