In their last advisory for Lorenzo, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Lorenzo currently has maximum sustained wind speeds of 80mph. Although these wind speeds are still considered high, Lorenzo is no longer a hurricane, and therefore does not fit into a category on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. On its current forecast path, Hurricane Lorenzo is set to track across Ireland on Thursday, and a number of weather warnings for both Ireland and the UK have been issued for the next couple of days.
As of the Met Office’s update this morning at 10.58 (UTC), a number of weather warnings have been issued for parts of the UK and Ireland over the coming week.
The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning for parts of Northern Ireland from 3pm to 10pm on Thursday.
Current predictions suggest the affected area could see wind gusts between 55 and 65mph.
Another Yellow wind warning has been issued for Cornwall and most of Devon, as well as coastal parts of south-west Wales – running from 4am to 4pm on Friday.
Forecasters predict the area could see wind gusts between 55 and 65mph.
Met Éireann, the Irish Meteorological Service, has also issued a number of warnings for the Republic of Ireland.
A Orange wind warning has been issued for Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick, which runs from 6pm on Thursday to 3am on Friday.
Met Éireann have also issued a Yellow warning for wind for Ireland between 9am on Thursday and 6am on Friday.
A Yellow rainfall warning has also been issued for Ireland, for spells of heavy rain (in excess of 50mm in parts of the west and northwest) and potential flooding.
This yellow rainfall warning is in place between 9am on Thursday and 9am on Friday.
Andy Page, Chief Meteorologist with the Met Office, said: “By the time Storm Lorenzo reaches our latitudes it will be a low-pressure system that we’re accustomed to seeing at this time of year, but our partner Met Éireann is expecting impacts from the strong winds and heavy rain to affect the Republic of Ireland
“Across much of the rest of the UK we’re anticipating the impacts will be minimal, but we have issued yellow wind warnings for Northern Ireland and parts of south west England and south Wales.”
Mr Page added: “At the moment the strongest winds are expected in western Ireland, with a risk of coastal gales developing in Northern Ireland on Thursday and south Wales and south-west England on Friday.
“Storm Lorenzo will also bring a spell of heavy rain to much of the UK mainly during Thursday night and the first half of Friday.
“Our advice is to pay close attention to the weather forecast over the next couple of days and to keep an eye out for any weather warnings that may be issued in your area.”