Windstorms in northwest Europe in late 2013

The winter period of 2013/2014 has been very active in terms of windstorms affecting northwest Europe. This article provides a short summary of two such storms, from 28 October (Christian) and 5 December (St Nicholas or Xaver), and the handling thereof by the ECMWF IFS (Integrated Forecasting System). It is shown that for both storms IFS output provided an indication of high winds 5 to 6 days in advance. This is important because a key component of ECMWF's strategy is to provide Member States' National Meteorological Services with reliable forecasts of severe weather across the medium range.