A retrospective on the storms of the century: Lothar and Martin
Nearly a quarter of a century ago, at the end of 1999, France was faced with two of the most devastating natural disasters in its recent history: storms Lothar and Martin. These events marked memories not only by their violence, but also by the deep scars left behind them.
A dramatic succession of meteorological phenomena
- December 26, 1999: Lothar rages in the north
- December 27, 1999: Martin sweeps south
- Damage estimated at 8-13 billion Euros
- An economic loss of half a point of GDP for France
During the last month of 1999, France was the scene of a ballet of storms and floods of remarkable intensity. The culminating act of this succession took place with Lothar and Martin, who caused the disappearance of 92 lives and caused massive damage to both infrastructure and the natural environment.
Disturbed meteorological context
The climate, from the beginning of December, was highly unstable, a harbinger of the turmoil to come. The year 1999 was marked by extreme weather conditions, leading to severe flooding, particularly in November in Aude.
Depressions of rare power
The origin of these exceptional storms lies in an acceleration of ocean flows, combined with abnormal variations and extraordinary speeds of the jet stream, this very rapid air current at high altitude. These factors have created favorable conditions for extreme weather events.
Devastating characteristics of Lothar and Martin
| Storm | Date | Affected Regions | Burst Speeds |
| Lothar | December 26, 1999 | North of France | Up to 272 km/h |
| Martin | December 27, 1999 | South of France | Up to 198 km/h |
Due to their strength and rapid spread across the territory, these storms are considered category 1 hurricanes.
Assessment and consequences of storms
- A natural disaster that left 92 dead
- More than 3 million homes without electricity
- 138 million m3 of windthrow in French forests
The passage of Lothar and Martin led to a national awareness of vulnerability to violent weather phenomena and led to the establishment of the Météo France Vigilance system in 2001.
Storms and climate change
Although current studies do not demonstrate a direct link with climate change regarding the frequency of storms, it is an important research topic, especially when analyzing the potential impacts of global warming.
Lothar and Martin will remain engraved in French meteorological history as a reminder of the unleashed powers of nature and the challenges posed by their anticipation and management.
