Analyzing the Mediterranean Tropical-like Cyclone Ianos Using the Moist Static Energy Budget.

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the energy dynamics of the Mediter­ranean tropical-like cyclone, Medicane Ianos, by using a moist sta tic energy (MSE) budget framework. Medicanes are hybrid cyclonic systems that share characteristics of both ex­tratropical and tropical cyclones, making their classification and prediction challenging. Using high-resolution ERA5 reanalysis data, we analyzed the life cycle of Ianos, which is one of the strongest recorded medicanes, employing the vertically integrateci MSE spatial variance budget to quantify the contributions of different energy sources to the cyclone' s developrnent. The chosen study area was approximately 25002 krn2, covering the entire track of the cyclone. The budget was calculated after tracking Ianos and applying Hart phase space analysis to assess the cyclone phases. The results show that the MSE budget can reveal that the cyclone development was driven by a delicate balance between con­vection and dynarnical factors. The interplay between vertical and horizontal advection, in particular the upward transport of moist air and the lateral inflow of warrn, moist air and cold, dry air, was a key mechanism driving the evolution of Ianos, followed by surface fluxes and radiative feedback. By analyzing what process contributes most to the increase in MSE variance, we concluded that Ianos can be assirnilated in the tropical frarnework within a radius of 600 km around the cyclone center, but only during its intense phase. In this way, the budget can contribute as a diagnostic tool to the ongoing debate regarding medicanes classification.