Linking Meteo-Marine Forcing and Spatial Damage Patterns in Calabria After Cyclone Harry (Southern Italy)

Mediterranean coastal regions are increasingly affected by hydrometeorological hazards associated with high-impact weather events, including cyclones. Between 18 and 21 January 2026, the intense extratropical cyclone Harry affected Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria, producing severe weather conditions including heavy precipitation, strong winds, and extreme wave activity. This study investigates both the meteo-marine characteristics of the event and its associated damage in Calabria, where the cyclone triggered multiple hazards (wave storms, landslides, flooding, and strong winds). Meteo-marine forcing was characterized using integrated rainfall data, wave parameters, and wind data. In situ observations, radar-derived precipitation estimates, satellite measurements, and model-based reanalysis products were combined to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the event. A georeferenced database of 195 damage records was compiled and classified according to the EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC), allowing spatial analyses within a GIS framework. Although the cyclone produced exceptional rainfall totals, locally exceeding 580 mm in 90 h, the distribution of impacts reveals the predominance of coastal processes. Wave storm-related damage accounted for 68% of all recorded impacts, mainly affecting transportation and communication infrastructures, tourism facilities, and population. The prevalence of coastal damage appears to be linked not only to the intensity of marine forcing but also to its persistence which locally exceeded the maximum climatological persistence, suggesting that event duration plays a critical role in determining impact severity. Geomorphological analyses indicate that short-term coastal vulnerability is influenced not only by long-term shoreline evolution but also by local topographic characteristics and exposure to marine forcing. These findings contribute to improving risk assessment and mitigation strategies for Mediterranean coastal regions under a changing climate.