[4] A very deep and sizeable depression, named Cyclone Kurt,[3] moved across Britain on the night of 24–25 December, analysed to have possibly reached a low of 938 mb between Scotland and Norway.

This highly unstable situation inevitably meant low predictability, and saw an unusually straight and strong jet stream (similar circumstances were also noted the day before the arrival of the Great Storm of 1987).

Atmospheric conditions remained unstable over western Europe, and at the end of January 2000 two additional damaging storms crossed Denmark and the northern part of Germany.

[8] The French and German national power grids were also left badly affected, with more than 200 electricity pylons destroyed.

[3] Buildings and infrastructure suffered major damage throughout Martin's path, and mains power and safety systems were knocked out in many places.