Hurricane Joaquin to miss Ireland, affect northern Portugal/Spain

The threat posed to Ireland by Hurricane Joaquin has dissipated as the weakened system is instead expected to track towards northern Portugal and Spain.


Overnight weather computer models have aligned their outlook for the system as it tracks across the Atlantic having brought Hurricane force 4 winds to The Bahamas and Bermuda.

With the exception of some scattered showers during Wednesday, the remainder of the week will be largely dry and settled.

However, Met Éireann says the threat of overcast conditions and some patchy drizzle exists for some coastal Atlantic counties at the weekend.

According to Peter O'Donnell, long range forecaster for Irish Weather Online: "There now appears to be very little risk of Joaquin's remnant low threatening Ireland, instead it appears headed more towards Portugal and northwest Spain. Even there, only a weak version of the formerly powerful storm is expected."

"A weak trough of low pressure extending north from the decaying tropical storm to low pressure near Iceland will spread a lot of cloud across Ireland and some light rain at times in Connacht and west Munster, in a moderate southeast to south wind flow that may reach 30-50 km/hr at times. Highs each day near 14 C and lows 7-9 C under cloud, perhaps a bit lower further east (4-7 C) where cloud may be more broken."

Meanwhile, next week's weather is expected to remain dry and settled as high pressure becomes centred close to or over Ireland.

The below computer model output shows the position of the remnants of Hurricane Joaquin, by then an ex-tropical system, over northern Iberia.

Images c/o www.meteociel.com.