Ex-Hurricane “Kirk” to strike Europe after transitioning into powerful extratropical storm
Ex-Hurricane “Kirk” is forecast to hit western Europe, including Spain, France, and potentially the UK, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, after racing through the North Atlantic as a powerful post-tropical cyclone.
Ex-Hurricane "Kirk" at 15:00 UTC on October 7, 2024. Credit: NOAA, EUMETSAT, Zoom.Earth, The Watchers
Ex-Hurricane “Kirk,” one of three active tropical systems in the Atlantic this month, is forecast to strike Europe on Wednesday after transitioning into a powerful extratropical storm on Monday, October 7.
Kirk is expected to reach northwestern Spain and France by Wednesday and Thursday, October 10, after accelerating through the North Atlantic as a post-tropical storm.
At 15:00 UTC on October 7, Kirk’c center was located about 1 055 km (655 miles) WNW of the Azores. The system had maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 963 hPa, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
It was moving NE at 46 km/h (29 mph) and an even faster ENE motion is expected during the next couple of days.
Although gradual weakening is expected, Kirk is forecast to remain a large and strong extratropical low during the next couple of days.
Swells generated by Kirk are affecting the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, the east coast of the United States, portions of Atlantic Canada, and the Azores. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
This was the last public advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center for Kirk as this system races toward Europe.
According to the UK Met Office, the system is expected to bring 20 – 40 mm (0.7 to 1.5 inches) of rainfall across England, Wales, southeastern Scotland, and Northern Ireland, with a low risk of higher totals. Disruptive winds are possible if Kirk tracks over the UK.
Forecast models take Kirk over the northern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and directly over central France.
References:
1 Hurricane Kirk Public Advisory – NHC -Released at 15:00 UTC on October 7, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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