Is a DANA coming or not?
The word has been causing alarm since the tragedy in Valencia, but it is a common phenomenon and not all cold drops are catastrophic.
BarcelonaThe word "DANA" has taken on a whole new meaning after the tragedy in the Valencian Community last fall. Since then, every time the press mentions it, it generates concern, even panic, in many people. But we must keep in mind that a DANA is a common phenomenon in our country, and depending on its characteristics, the time of year, and the weather and topographic conditions, it can be more or less severe.
Just these days, there's been talk of the arrival of a DANA that will affect Catalonia and much of the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula. But is this really the case? We must keep in mind that the word DANA is an acronym for isolated depression at high levels. In short, a pocket of cold air at altitude that breaks away from normal atmospheric circulation, what years ago was known as cold drop.
When this cold air at altitude collides with the summer heat and humidity of a warm Mediterranean Sea, it can generate strong storms and downpours in our homes. And this is what we will experience this Friday and Saturday in much of the country. We will be crossed by the most active part of a pocket of cold air that will meet with the intense heat accumulated in recent weeks both at sea and on the ground, which will cause thunderstorms and significant downpours in any region.
Therefore, what we will experience these days can technically be classified as DANA. In fact, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued a special warning for the arrival of this phenomenon. But let it be clear: it is a typical summer downpour situation and will have nothing to do with the characteristics of the catastrophic storm a few months ago in Valencia.
We must avoid generating panic
Since last fall's tragedy, we in the media have a responsibility to be cautious with the use of this word because not all DANAs are dangerous or behave the same. And if all of this isn't explained well or if this term is used to create sensational headlines, it can create unnecessary panic.
In fact, the word DANA began to be used as a replacement for cold drop Because this term was associated with large and catastrophic storms, generating concern among the population every time it was mentioned. Now it seems that DANA has also taken this path, and there are only two options: either we explain clearly to the public that not all DANAs cause death and destruction, or we will have to change our concept again when referring to situations of this type.
Not all DANAs are catastrophic
The event reaching Catalonia is by no means exceptional, but we must bear in mind that this collision of air masses will bring showers and severe thunderstorms, sometimes accompanied by downpours, hail, hail, and strong winds. Meteocat—the leading agency in our country—has issued alerts nationwide for heavy rain, with accumulations that could exceed 40 l/m² in just half an hour. Civil Protection has put the Inuncat plan on alert and urges caution.
It's worth noting that these situations are more typical of late summer. But temperatures are increasingly higher, and heat waves arrive earlier, which advances these violent episodes.
In any case, it will have nothing to do with the characteristics of the Valencian Country's DANA. In that case, the storm was much deeper and more static. It was located in the south of the peninsula, driving sustained, humid, and warm winds from the sea to the land, especially in the Valencian region. Combined with the terrain and warmer-than-normal seawater, the rains were persistent and torrential for many hours in the same areas. A historic autumn storm.
We must bear in mind that there are some DANAs that affect us indirectly without rain, and their winds can even generate heat waves in our country depending on the position. Therefore, many factors must be taken into account to determine whether or not a cold air pocket of this nature is dangerous.