Hurricane Lorenzo could smash into Ireland as it heads for western Europe spaghetti models have revealed. The powerful storm is currently whipping out winds of 85mph with higher gusts and is forecast to develop into a major Category 3 hurricane in the next 24 hours. That means, according to the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, Lorenzo will have winds of at least 111mph.
The hurricane is currently located 715 miles west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands.
During the next few days it will move west-northwest at a speed of 17mph.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Lorenzo should remain over warm water during the next three days.
That means Lorenzo will be far off any coastlines during the height of its strength.
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However, long-range forecasters have warned Ireland could be hit with the tail-end effect of Lorenzo next week.
There is some spread on the longitude of the recurvature, and according to the GFS model an eastern turn could take place later this week.
The new forecast lies between these models in best overall agreement with the HCCA corrected consensus guidance.
Forecasters are now warning Lorenzo could smash into Ireland next week.
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Irish Weather Online said the hurricane will be close to the western coast of Europe.
Forecaster Prof Peter O’Donnell said: “Lorenzo is predicted to become a Category 3 Hurricane southwest of the Azores and now shows some signs of heading straight towards western Europe next week.
“The charts currently weaken it just before it arrives, and the centre goes to the south of Ireland rather than continuing on across Ireland, so in that event, the weather would likely be overcast and drizzly mid-week.
“Some warmer air is also lurking for later next week after the near miss from Lorenzo’s remnants.
“All of this is somewhat speculative and obviously subject to change, but all scenarios that we have seen in recent days have the common feature of active weather in a southwest flow and more cloud than clear skies, with frequent rain.”
Lorenzo is the fifth hurricane in the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season.
NOAA began to monitor the tropical wave on September 19 as it emerged from the coast of western Africa.
On September 23, NOAA initiated advisories on Tropical Depression 13, before it developed into a tropical storm 12 hours later.
The forecast is showing Lorenzo is continuing to strengthen and is expected to be a major hurricane by Thursday.