While there is still some uncertainty as to the exact course Hurricane Lorenzo will end up following, Met Éireann has stated that it is primed to issue status orange and status red weather warnings as required.
The storm, which is currently heading north through the Atlantic, seems set to either come close to, or pass over parts of Ireland, on Thursday.
While it is currently a category five hurricane it is expected to weaken to either a 'tropical storm' or an 'extra tropical storm' by the time it approaches Ireland. However, this means that it will still possess a maximum wind speed of up to 118km/hr.
Met Éireann's Head of Forecasting, Evelyn Cusack, has said that they will look to issue warnings on Wednesday morning when they have a clearer picture of the storm's projected trajectory.
She said, "So while it will give some very wet and very windy weather, perhaps Orange Weather warnings will be the worst, perhaps touching a Status Red on the west and north-west coast, but we won't be issuing those warnings until Wednesday morning."
Infrared Satellite imagery, you can see hurricane #Lorenzo slowly moving north east, it is expected to transition into an extra tropical storm before it reaches Ireland. pic.twitter.com/pr2fFEKYRl
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 1, 2019
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Jean Byrne of Met Éireann confirmed that, as per their most recent models which they've formulated, in conjunction with the US National Hurricane Center, the storm is on course to track very near, or over, Ireland.
"The closer we get to the event, obviously, the better idea we should have. Luckily the models are coming in a little bit more into line, so I think we are fairly confident at this stage it will track close to Ireland, at least, if not over it.
I suppose tomorrow they (the models) should align even further, we should know whether it will track slightly to the south-west or down across Connacht and across the country on Thursday night."
Local authorities as well as the ESB, Gardaí and public transport operators have been notified that they should be ready to implement their crisis management plans in anticipation of severe disruptions caused by the storm. The National Emergency Co-Ordination group has yet to be convened for a meeting. However, a meeting will be called if it is deemed necessary.
Should a status red warning be issued for parts of the country there will be mandatory closures for schools, colleges and other services in the affected areas. In the case of status orange warnings however it will be at the discretion of local authorities to decide on closures.
Keep an eye on Met Éireann's Twitter for updates.
H/T: BreakingNews.ie
