Wet and windy conditions expected mid-week as the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto tracks across the Atlantic
Satellite image of Hurricane Ernesto (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via AP)
Hurricane Ernesto, which ripped through the Carribbean over the weekend at 136kph, will lead to wet and windy conditions here this week.
Remnants of the hurricane, which left many without power in Bermuda and Puerto Rico last week, will pass over Northern Ireland on its way to Britain.
The impact of the storm will be felt during the week, with the Met Office predicting that blustery showers will come in on Tuesday, to be followed by strong winds and rain on Wednesday, with more wet weather expected on Thursday.
Gusts could reach up to 60mph, the Met Office warned.
A yellow weather warning is in place for the west of Scotland on Wednesday and Thursday, with heavy wind and rain bringing a chance of flooding.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wisson explained that it’s not accurate to say Hurricane Ernesto itself will batter the UK, given that it has now lost strength and been downgraded to a tropical storm, which will even have broken down significantly before reaching these shores.
However, he warned its warmth and moisture will lead to unsettled conditions for the UK, “especially across the north and west, with heavy rain and strong winds expected here.”
He continued: “Although August is usually associated with fine and settled weather, wet and windy weather such as this aren’t uncommon, as seen in previous years.”
In the Republic, Met Éireann has predicted potentially sever flooding in the coming days but stressed that there is a “high degree of uncertainty” in the forecast.
Their report added: “Although climate change is not expected to lead to more tropical storms or hurricanes forming over the Atlantic in the future, the storms that do develop will have the potential to becoming stronger and more intense.”
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