Hurricane Kirk, currently a significant storm in the central Atlantic, is intensifying. The latest report from the National Hurricane Center indicates that Kirk has maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, categorizing it as a Category 4 hurricane. Further strengthening is anticipated.
Although Hurricane Kirk is expected to maintain its course over the open waters of the Atlantic, its effects may reach the East Coast of the United States by Sunday.
In other developments within the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Leslie, located west of Africa, is projected to strengthen into a hurricane. Additionally, another system approaching the Gulf of Mexico is likely to deliver heavy rain and potential flooding to Florida, even if it does not evolve into a tropical storm or hurricane.
As of 5 p.m. EDT, Hurricane Kirk was situated approximately 1,085 miles east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands and 1,655 miles southwest of the Azores. The storm is moving northwest at a speed of 12 mph and is expected to maintain this trajectory into early Friday. A shift towards a faster north and north-northeast movement is anticipated over the weekend.
The sustained winds of Hurricane Kirk have increased to near 130 mph, with higher gusts present. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 35 miles from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds reach up to 185 miles outwards.
Kirk is predicted to expand in size, generating ocean swells across the central and western Atlantic, which the National Hurricane Center warns may elevate the risk of dangerous surf and rip currents along the Leeward Islands by Friday, expanding to Bermuda and the Greater Antilles by Saturday, and reaching the U.S. East Coast and the Bahamas by Sunday.
This hurricane poses a significant risk to shipping interests, as it may continue to affect areas across western Europe, including the UK, Ireland, and parts of France and Belgium, by the middle of next week.
Tropical Storm Leslie, having maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and moving west at 6 mph, is located around 580 miles west-southwest of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands. Its movement is expected to accelerate slightly over the coming days. Leslie is projected to strengthen over the next 48 hours, potentially becoming a hurricane by Friday.
While Leslie is expected to take a more western path and likely avoid direct impacts to the Caribbean Islands, it remains a notable concern for trans-Atlantic shipping, though current forecasts do not predict any land impacts.
Updates on tropical weather will continue, and residents are encouraged to stay informed about any developments.