(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>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>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>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>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>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>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>TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisia and Italy agreed Thursday to step up efforts to send Tunisian migrants identified as illegally staying in Italy back to their home country and to improve the co-operation between their governments.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, speaking during an official visit to Tunisia, said the “the priority is to improve the conditions of return of these migrants.”

Salvini said both countries agreed to fight “against the trafficking of human beings … and to limit the number of deaths” of those crossing the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Europe. The International Organization for Migration says over 1,600 people have died crossing the Mediterranean so far this year.

He also pledged to work on additional Italian investments to create jobs especially in southern Tunisia, where most Tunisian migrants come from.

Italy wants to become Tunisia’s No. 1 economic, commercial, cultural and tourist partner, Salvini said.

His counterpart, Hichem Fourati, said Tunisian authorities were ready to accept returns of confirmed Tunisian citizens. He referred to a 2011 agreement between Tunis and Rome that allows authorities to send back 45 people to Tunisia per week.

Fourati stressed that “more than 500 people accused of human smuggling” have been arrested this year.

Salvini also met with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on Thursday.

The right-wing Italian minister, who backs hard-line anti-migrant policies, has blocked humanitarian rescue ships from Italian ports to reduce the number of migrants arriving in Italy by sea.

Italy’s populist government on Monday passed a decree making it harder for migrants to be approved for humanitarian protection.

The IOM said this week about 4,000 Tunisians left their country with smugglers this year, many of them heading to Italy.</s>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.
A Mediterranean hurricane forms, threatening Libya, Italy, Tunisia, and Greece.