Hurricane Lorenzo is still moving over open waters in the Atlantic Ocean, but is tracking towards Europe and the UK. The powerful storm has weakened slightly from its peak as a Category 5 hurricane, but is still whipping out winds of 110mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Hurricane Lorenzo, which is 600-mile wide, is expected to be “one of Europe’s strongest ever tropical storms”.

When will Hurricane Lorenzo hit the UK?

Lorenzo is forecast to hit the Azores off Portugal on Tuesday before it moves close to the UK.

The Azores could see winds up to 100mph and the NHC has issued warnings for hurricane and tropical-force winds.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Flores, Corvo, Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira while a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Sao Miguel and Santa Maria.

The powerful weather system is moving north-northeast at 10mph at the moment and will spin close to Britain on Wednesday night.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain across Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Cardiff.

Lorenzo is expected to bring heavy rain and will lead to risks of flooded homes.

The Environment Agency currently has 28 localised flood warnings in place for England in counties including Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Yorkshire, Hampshire, Sussex and Lincolnshire.

Hurricane Lorenzo is expected to affect the UK until Friday.

Met Office forecaster Steven Keates said: “Lorenzo is a real beast of a storm.

“It will be one of Europe’s strongest ever tropical storms, as the Azores are part of Europe.

“After reaching the Azores on Tuesday, Lorenzo is expected to move to close to the UK by Thursday – bringing a couple of days with potentially worse conditions than this weekend.

“There are scenarios from gales to storm-force 70mph-plus gusts, but there’s uncertainty.

“Big waves and heavy rain are likely, with the West most likely to be affected.

“Before then, five or six inches’ rain will fall between Saturday and Tuesday in the wettest places. It’s clearly enough for flooding concerns.

“People should keep up-to-date with warnings and consider their travel options.

“The South-West looks wettest, but other parts will see rain, focused on Monday night into Tuesday.

“It will be windy across the South and Midlands, with gusts up to 60mph on Sunday and 50mph from Monday night, windiest on the south coast.

“The season’s first snowfall is possible on Wednesday on Scotland’s mountains, with accumulating snow on the highest ground.

“-2C on Tuesday night is forecast in northern England and Scotland, and 0C in the South.”

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