Thursday, September 26, 2019

Hurricane Watch For Great Britain: Lorenzo Coming Off the African Coast Looks Serious

We've mentioned the long-haul Cape Verde storms that run all the way from the coast of Africa to the Americas later in the hurricane season.

Well here is a weird one.

From the National Hurricane Center:

000
WTNT33 KNHC 261003
TCPAT3

BULLETIN
Hurricane Lorenzo Special Advisory Number  15
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL132019
600 AM AST Thu Sep 26 2019

...LORENZO RAPIDLY STRENGTHENS INTO A MAJOR HURRICANE...


SUMMARY OF 600 AM AST...1000 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...15.2N 39.3W
ABOUT 995 MI...1600 KM W OF THE SOUTHERNMOST CABO VERDE ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...125 MPH...205 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...955 MB...28.20 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.


DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 600 AM AST (1000 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lorenzo was
located near latitude 15.2 North, longitude 39.3 West. The hurricane
is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h). Lorenzo
is forecast to turn toward the northwest and begin moving at a
slightly slower speed later today. A turn toward the north is then
anticipated on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds have rapidly increased to near 125 mph (205
km/h) with higher gusts.  Lorenzo is a category 3 hurricane on the
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Additional strengthening is
possible today.

Okay, it's not a formal storm watch for the British Isles but...ummm...maybe:

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT13/refresh/AL132019_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind+png/100658_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind.png