As Hurricane Gabrielle rages towards Europe – will it bring 150mph winds to UK?
Hurricane Gabrielle is predicted to wreak yet more wet and wild weather on the UK.
The tropical storm is gathering speed with weather models showing Gabrielle raging eastward across the Atlantic towards Europe.
The hurricane took a dramatic right turn from Bermuda and is being tracked to hit the Azores in Portugal, where locals have been urged to take defensive measures.
This weekend, we will see if Hurricane Gabrielle unleashes yet more grim weather on the UK.
The UK has already seen above average rainfall in September – the most since January according to the Environment Agency (EA) – and Gabrielle could result in yet more cold, wet and blustery weather for Brits.
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Gabrielle has already become a hurricane due to the warm water in the central Atlantic and is classed as category four, the second strongest, with 150 mph winds on Monday afternoon.
In the UK, heavy rain blighted England and Wales on Saturday after the wettest week for nearly a year from Monday 12 to 18.
A Met Office spokesman told Metro: ‘Hurricane Gabrielle is expected to track close to the Azores later on Thursday and into Friday, before weakening substantially as it approaches mainland Europe.
‘While there remains some uncertainty regarding its exact track over the weekend, it is very likely to stay well to the south of the UK. Gabrielle’s evolution might have a small influence on UK weather this weekend, as it could affect the behaviour of a band of rain moving across the country.
‘If this occurs though, impacts will likely be minimal, as it would be a much weaker system than it currently is over the tropical Atlantic.’
The UK has had drier weather due to an area of high pressure ahead of Hurricane Gabrielle’s potential arrival.
Annual rainfall has dropped and between January to August and the UK collectively received only 44% of its predicted annual rainfall – the expected average was 67% in 2024.
Hurricane Gabrielle’s path towards the UK
- Gabrielle formed less than a week ago in the mid Atlantic but has rapidly grown since.
- On its approach to Bermuda, Gabrielle intensified but took a sharp right turn from the archipelago towards Europe.
- It has been classed as 2025’s second major hurricane after gathering speed in the central Atlantic on Monday morning.
- It is now moving eastward across the Atlantic towards Europe and getting closer to the UK.
Cooler weather, especially in mornings, has been predicted and already in Edinburgh Gogarbank, Scotland, the temperature has dropped to – 0.3c.
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