Hurricane Ophelia is the Strongest Hurricane to Form East of the United States

Caitlin Dempsey

Updated:

On Saturday, October 15, 2017, Hurricane Ophelia strengthened to Category 3 status making it the first recorded eastern hurricane to be this strong. The Copernicus Sentinel-3A satellite captured this image of Hurricane Ophelia located 1300 km southwest of the Azores islands and some 2000 km off the African coast.

Hurricane Ophelia on October 11, 2017. Image: European Space Agency.
Hurricane Ophelia on October 11, 2017. Image: European Space Agency.

NASA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured Hurricane Ophelia on October 13, 2017 with sustained winds of 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour as it nears the Azores. It is unusual for a hurricane to form and stay in the Eastern Atlantic.

Hurricane Ophelia on October 13, 2017. Image: NASA.
Hurricane Ophelia on October 13, 2017. Image: NASA.

Ophelia is expected to weaken to a tropical storm by the time it reaches Ireland.

Map: Forecast Cone for Ophelia, National Hurricane Service.
Map: Forecast Cone for Ophelia, National Hurricane Service.

Ireland is preparing for gale force winds to batter the island Monday morning. Wind gusts could reach 130 kph (80 mph) and 2 to 3 inches of rain are expected. Tidal surges are expected in coastal areas along Ireland and Scotland.

Map: Wind speed probabilities for Ophelia, National Hurricane Service
Map: Wind speed probabilities for Ophelia, National Hurricane Service

View the video about Hurricane Ophelia:

YouTube video



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More:

Hurricane Ophelia, European Space Agency, October 11, 2017
http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/10/Hurricane_Ophelia

Hurricane Ophelia, NASA, October 13, 2017
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=91125

Hurricane Ophelia, National Hurricane Service
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at2+shtml/145012.shtml?cone#contents

Update on Storm Ophelia issued at 6pm Sunday October 15th, Met Éireann
http://www.met.ie/news/display.asp?ID=455

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About the author
Caitlin Dempsey
Caitlin Dempsey is the editor of Geography Realm and holds a master's degree in Geography from UCLA as well as a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from SJSU.