NASA Re-examines 1999 European Storms Using Historical Data
NASA has utilized data from the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) to re-examine the December 1999 storms, Lothar and Martin, which severely impacted Western Europe. These storms caused extensive damage, particularly in France, with estimated damages reaching up to €15 billion and resulting in at least 140 deaths across Europe. The storms destroyed over 200 million cubic meters of forest, significantly affecting the timber industry. MERRA-2 data, which includes meteorological reanalysis dating back to 1980, has been instrumental in understanding the meteorological conditions surrounding these storms. 
