Hurricane Kirk has intensified into a major hurricane in the central Atlantic, now classified as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds reaching 130 mph. The National Hurricane Center has indicated that additional strengthening is anticipated.
Although Hurricane Kirk is expected to remain over open waters, its effects could potentially reach the East Coast of the United States by Sunday.
In addition, Tropical Storm Leslie, located west of Africa, is projected to strengthen into a hurricane, while a system approaching the Gulf of Mexico may result in heavy rainfall and flooding in Florida, even if it does not develop into a tropical storm or hurricane.
Currently, Hurricane Kirk is situated approximately 1,085 miles east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands and 1,655 miles southwest of the Azores, with a northwest movement at 12 mph. The center of Hurricane Kirk is located at latitude 21.1 North, longitude 46.7 West. A change in direction towards the north and north-northeast at a quicker speed is expected over the weekend.
Hurricane Kirk’s wind radius extends up to 35 miles from its center with tropical-storm-force winds reaching out as far as 185 miles. The hurricane poses a significant threat to shipping interests and may impact areas in western Europe, including the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands by the middle of next week.
Tropical Storm Leslie, on the other hand, is located about 580 miles west-southwest of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands, moving westward at a speed of 6 mph. Leslie is forecasted to strengthen into a hurricane within the next 48 hours, as maximum sustained winds have increased to 50 mph.
Despite its path veering farther west than Kirk, Tropical Storm Leslie is expected to avoid the Caribbean Islands and currently poses no forecasted impact to land.
Updates on both storms will be provided regularly, so it is advised to stay informed and prepared in the coming days.