This storm is oddly intense for the Mid-Atlantic this time of year
Forecasters say Hurricane Ophelia is on a track that will send it toward Ireland and the United Kingdom this weekend.
Ophelia is currently a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.
It is an odd storm in that it’s a fairly intense hurricane for the cooler waters of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean this time of year. And it’s part of a hurricane season that already has seen monster storms like Irma and Maria wreaking havoc.
The National Hurricane Center predicts Ophelia will drop to tropical-storm strength as it nears the Emerald Isle and the UK, by late Sunday or early Monday.
Friday morning, Ophelia was picking up speed, spinning about 615 miles southwest of the Azores. By later Saturday, the hurricane is expected to pass near this island archipelago in the Mid-Atlantic, known for its vineyards and fishing villages.
By Monday, the forecast track has Ophelia much closer to Ireland and the British Isles. By then, its winds may drop to tropical-storm strength.
„Some weakening is anticipated after day 3 while Ophelia moves near the British Isles, but strong winds are becoming increasingly likely over portions of Ireland and United Kingdom regardless of the cyclone’s exact intensity,“ according to the National Hurricane Center.
