Ex-hurricane Humberto tracks our way, threatening strong winds and heavy rain by Friday

"Humberto - which last weekend was classified as a Category-5 hurricane with devastating 260kmh winds - is not expected to make landfall in the US after forming in the Caribbean. Instead, it is expected to sweep across the Atlantic this week, weakening as it travels, but potentially reaching Ireland on Friday. As Humberto departs the Caribbean, yet another major storm is forming, with this tropical depression expected to expand into Storm Imelda."

"Unlike Humberto, Imelda is expected to track across the lower US east coast, threatening ­Florida and the Carolinas. European meteorologists are focused on Humberto to determine its precise track as it ­crosses the Atlantic. The storm will weaken substantially by the time it reaches northern Europe but it will still bring powerful winds and potentially heavy rainfall. The National Hurricane ­Centre (NHC) in the US confirmed Humberto reached Category-5 status on Saturday - but it is predicted to weaken from Tuesday and is not expected to make landfall in the US."

"However, US weather stations confirmed it is the first time in 92 years that there have been multiple Category-5 hurricanes, also known as monster storms, in back-to-back years. Met Éireann said the track of Humberto will be carefully monitored over the coming days. However, some so-called "spaghetti storm tracks" - measurements to assess where a major storm might be approaching - shows Humberto could travel in the vicinity of Ireland. And the storm could potentially have a significant impact on Ireland's weather for 48 hours from Friday."

Humberto reached Category-5 strength with 260km/h winds after forming in the Caribbean and is not expected to make US landfall. The storm is forecast to sweep across the Atlantic this week, weakening as it travels but potentially reaching Ireland on Friday and bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall. A separate tropical depression is expected to become Storm Imelda and track across the lower US east coast, threatening Florida and the Carolinas. US stations noted back-to-back years with multiple Category-5 hurricanes for the first time in 92 years. Met Éireann will closely monitor Humberto and warns of wetter, breezier conditions ahead of any arrival.

Read at Irish Independent