UK: Weather alerts issued as Hurricane Lorenzo approaches October 2

Event

On Wednesday, October 2, the UK's national weather service issued weather alerts ahead of the passage of Hurricane Lorenzo. A yellow wind alert is in effect for the Northern Ireland counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down, Londonderry, and Tyrone from 15:00 to 22:00 (local time) on Thursday, October 3. A yellow wind alert is in effect from 04:00 to 16:00 on Friday, October 4, for the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, and Somerset counties in southwest England, and Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, and Vale of Glamorgan counties in Wales. Additional flood warnings have been issued throughout central England. On the current forecast track, Lorenzo is expected to move over Northern Ireland late on Thursday before continuing toward England and Wales on Friday morning, bringing disruptive winds, significant swell, and storm surges.

As of 13:00 on Wednesday, Lorenzo is located at approximately 43.0°N, 28.0°W (map here) with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph (85 mph). The hurricane is tracking northeast at 69 kph (43 mph) and is forecast to weaken considerably as it approaches the UK. Associated power outages and disruptions to transportation and business services are possible in areas forecast to be affected by the system over the coming days.  

Advice

Individuals in areas forecast to be affected by the system are advised to monitor local weather reports, confirm flight reservations, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate adverse weather and power and transportation disruptions, and remember that running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) is enough to knock over an adult - and never drive through flooded streets; floodwater may also contain wastewater and chemical products.