Where Is Hurricane Ophelia Going And When Will It Hit?

Hurricane Ophelia strengthened to a Category 2 storm Friday, churning in the Atlantic Ocean. The storm was headed toward the Azores Islands where it could potentially brush this weekend. By early next week, Ireland and possibly the United Kingdom could see storm conditions.

Ophelia was moving east-northeast Friday, packing winds of up to 100 mph. The hurricane was expected to strengthen beyond a Category 2 storm in the coming days, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Storm-force winds were expected in the Azores Islands by as early as Saturday night. Only 15 hurricanes have passed within 200 miles of the Azores since 1851, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Ophelia was likely to become a post-tropical cyclone Sunday night or Monday, according to the Weather Channel. It should weaken as it approaches Ireland and the U.K., though both regions could potentially see strong winds.

Just because Ophelia may downgrade, that doesn’t mean it won’t bring severe weather conditions.

“The storm will have all the force and effect of a hurricane without the title or the name,” said Flipboard weather writer Dennis Mersereau. “Power outages, downed trees and flooding are possible across Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom.”

Ireland’s weather service issued a “yellow weather” for the region, warning that the area could see winds of up to 80 mph as well as high seas and rain, according to the Independent.

With the addition of Ophelia, there have been 10 hurricanes, five major hurricanes and 15 tropical storms in the 2017 Atlantic season, breaking some weather records.

“Since the satellite era began during the early 1960s, 2017 is the only year where there have been 10 consecutive hurricanes in the Atlantic basin,” said AccuWeather hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski.