00:00A derecho is a gigantic storm, made up of a multitude of thunderstorms, covering an
00:11area of more than 100 km wide.
00:14Unlike a tornado, formed by rotating winds, this type of storm is produced by winds blowing
00:19in a straight line, hence the name derecho, which means straight in Spanish.
00:26The derechos generally form when the weather is hot and humid, by a phenomenon known as
00:31convection, mainly between May and August in the Northern Hemisphere.
00:35Multiple storm cells form and come together.
00:39They advance, forming a line at least 100 km wide, and travel a distance of several
00:44hundred kilometers, often causing torrential rain.
00:49A derecho is also characterized by irregular but violent winds, with gusts over 90 km per
00:55hour.
00:56Wind speeds over 200 km per hour have been measured in the US, and up to 225 km per hour
01:02in Corsica, France in August of 2022.
01:07These megastorms mainly occur in the United States, and sometimes Europe, where they could
01:11become more frequent due to climate change.
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