Hurricane Ophelia Threatening Northwestern Europe (credit: NWS National Hurricane Center)

DISCUSSION: As we continue to watch Hurricane Ophelia spin over the eastern Atlantic Ocean, there continue to be increasing concerns regarding the future of this evolving tropical cyclone.  Over the next couple of days, Hurricane Ophelia will be undergoing a process known as extra-tropical transition within which Ophelia will lose many critical tropical characteristics (including but not limited to) losing the tropical cyclone's signature warm-core low and shifting towards a cold-core low.  However, despite various thinking across social media, this does not necessarily mean that Ophelia will lose a substantial amount of core intensity.  Rather, during a typical process of extra-tropical transition, a tropical cyclone can often maintain a relatively large percentage of its maximum intensity just prior to undergoing extra-tropical transition. 

In looking to later in the weekend and on towards Monday, the latest intensity and track forecast has Hurricane Ophelia impacting Ireland by Monday morning and afternoon.  In all likelihood, this storm will deliver strong/gusty winds as well as fairly heavy rainfall to much of Ireland before heading further north on towards the northern British Isles.  Thus, many people living across far NW Europe will soon be at risk from incoming impacts projected from an evolving Hurricane Ophelia.

To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across Europe, be sure to click here!

©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz