![]() Klaus strengthening over the Atlantic Ocean on 23 January 2009 | |
Type | European windstorm, Extratropical cyclone, Blizzard, Ice storm, Winter storm, Thundersnow |
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Formed | January 23, 2009 |
Dissipated | January 28, 2009 |
Highest gust | 216 km/h (134 mph) Port d'Envalira, Andorra |
Lowest pressure | 958 mb (28.3 inHg) |
Fatalities | 26[1] |
Areas affected | Andorra, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland |
Cyclone Klaus[2] was a European windstorm or cyclone that made landfall over large parts of central and southern France, Spain and parts of Italy in January 2009. The storm was the most damaging since Lothar and Martin in December 1999.[3] The storm caused widespread damage across France and Spain, especially in northern Spain.
The storm caused twenty-six fatalities,[1] as well as extensive disruptions to public transport and power supplies, with approximately 1.7 million homes in southwest France and tens of thousands of homes in Spain experiencing power cuts. Severe damage to property and major forest damage occurred.[4] Peak gusts were over 200 km/h (120 mph); sustained winds over 170 km/h (110 mph) were observed, which are hurricane-force winds.