Unprecedented 16.66-Metre Wave Recorded in Sicily Channel During Cyclone Harry
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Cyclone Harry has marked a clear turning point in the history of meteorology and oceanography, not only for Italy but also at an international level. On the afternoon of Tuesday, 20 January 2026, a scientific milestone was recorded in the Mediterranean Sea: a wave height of 16.66 metres was measured in the Sicily Channel, the highest ever instrumentally observed in the Mediterranean basin.
The measurement was taken in the stretch of sea between Portopalo di Capo Passero, at the southern tip of Sicily, and the island of Malta. This area is well known as one of the Mediterranean’s most exposed maritime corridors during major storms. The data was recorded by a buoy belonging to Italy’s National Wave Measurement Network, managed by ISPRA, the national environmental protection institute. It represents the highest confirmed wave height ever measured in the region.
With this result, Cyclone Harry clearly surpasses the previous Mediterranean record of 14.2 metres, observed off the Spanish coast during Storm Gloria in 2020. The new record underlines both the exceptional nature of the event and the extraordinary intensity of the cyclonic system that affected southern Italy.
The 16.66-metre figure refers to the maximum wave height (Hmax), defined as the vertical distance between the highest crest and the deepest trough recorded within a given time interval. This level of precision is made possible by modern inertial sensors installed on oceanographic buoys. These instruments can sample wave motion at very high frequencies and transmit data in real time via satellite.
Alongside maximum wave height, another key parameter used to describe sea conditions is the “significant wave height” (Hs). This represents the average height of the highest one-third of waves observed over a set period and is widely regarded as the most realistic indicator of sea state as experienced by sailors or trained observers. While individual waves can be much higher—sometimes up to twice the Hs value—the significant wave height provides a reliable statistical description of overall conditions.
Hs is calculated by measuring all waves, ranking them by height, and averaging the top third of the sample. For this reason, it is the standard parameter used in marine weather bulletins and operational forecasts for navigation.
From a scientific standpoint, Cyclone Harry constitutes a case study of considerable importance and reinforces concerns about the growing intensity of extreme marine and weather events in the Mediterranean.
Severe Economic Impact in Sicily
Beyond its scientific significance, the cyclone has also had major economic consequences. The total estimated damage in Sicily now exceeds €1 billion. Over the course of two days, Cyclone Harry caused widespread destruction to infrastructure, roads, small ports, seaside facilities, and both industrial and tourism-related businesses. The areas most affected were the Ionian coastline and the southern coast facing the Sicily Channel.
According to figures released by the regional Civil Protection agency and announced by Sicily’s governor, Renato Schifani, direct damages amount to €741.5 million. However, regional institutional sources indicate that this figure will rise further once lost income for affected businesses is included. Work is currently under way to assess compensation measures and financial support for impacted economic activities.
Taken together, the data suggest that Cyclone Harry was not merely an extreme weather episode, but a systemic stress test for Mediterranean coastal resilience—one that warrants close scrutiny rather than complacency.
