Ireland weather: Met Eireann hurricane warning as monster system brews in Atlantic
Met Eireann has warned that an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season could bring severe weather to Ireland. This comes as Hurricane Ernesto is currently brewing at sea and could track towards us.
Alarm has been raised over an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season, which could have a direct impact on Ireland’s weather. Ireland lies directly in the firing line for ex-hurricanes and tropical storms, which after forming off the east coast of America can swerve eastwards across the Atlantic.
The season officially began at the end of June when Hurricane Beryl became the earliest calendar year category 4 hurricane on record. Beryl caused extensive damage in the Caribbean Islands and was followed by Debby in early August.
Currently, Hurricane Ernesto lies in the western Atlantic, and could track towards Ireland over the coming days. Its current path is uncertain, however Met Eireann has said that its remnants could lash Ireland with wet and windy weather in the coming days.
A forecaster said: “Hurricane Ernesto is forecast to transition to a mid-latitude storm near northeastern Canada early next week with its remnants then tracking eastwards into the open Atlantic. As is typical with these systems there is a high degree of uncertainty in the forecast, but current indications suggest Ireland may experience some associated wet and windy weather on Wednesday (21st Aug) through to Thursday (22nd of Aug).
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“Met Eireann will be monitoring the evolution of Ernesto and any potential influence it could have on our weather next week.”
The national forecaster could not rule out the possibility of issuing weather warnings for next week. Its overall forecast for the week of Monday, August 19 to Sunday, August 25 says: “Low pressure is forecast to dominate, bringing spells of rain and showers through the week, along with breezy conditions at times. Rainfall amounts are expected to be above normal across most of the country, with highest accumulations in the west and northwest. Temperatures are forecast to be near or below normal. Rain warnings are possible during this period.”
With more tropical storms and hurricanes due to form over the coming months, warnings have been issued about their potential impact on Ireland.
Met Eireann said in a statement: “At the end of June, the first major hurricane, Beryl, kicked-started the season in the Atlantic on what promises to be a bumper year for the Atlantic hurricane season. The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season occurs on September 10th with most hurricanes usually happening between mid-August and mid-October.
“Hurricanes do influence, mostly indirectly, our weather here in Ireland. Sometimes they push warmer tropical maritime airmasses towards us which can be good news if it’s accompanied by high pressure, but when those tropical airmasses are accompanied by low pressure it can result in unstable warm humid air, causing thunderstorms and potentially severe flooding.
“Obviously, hurricanes can influence us directly as well, but by the time they reach Ireland they are usually no longer classified as hurricanes, having transitioned into what is known as ‘post- or extra-tropical storms.’ However, they can still be quite powerful and damaging – Ophelia (2017), Charley (1986) & Debbie (1961)."
Hurricane Ernesto strengthened into a Category 2 storm on Thursday night as it moved towards Bermuda, after leaving hundreds of thousands of people in Puerto Rico without power or water. A hurricane warning was in effect for Bermuda with the monster system expected to pass near or over the island today (Saturday), and the after effects could be experienced in Ireland next week.
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