Hurricane Kirk triggers high-surf warnings in southwest European coastlines

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is well underway, but there's a storm in particular threatening the US, Canadian and European coastlines.

Hurricane Kirk, a powerful Category 3 storm, is currently moving through the Atlantic Ocean with sustained winds of 120 miles per hour (195 kilometers per hour).

Although it was expected to weaken gradually starting last weekend, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that the hurricane will remain large and pose significant risks, particularly through the dangerous surf and rip current conditions it will generate along various coastlines.

The NHC has issued advisories stating that waves from Kirk could create life-threatening surf conditions along the US East Coast, eastern Canada, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, and the Bahamas.

These large swells were already affecting parts of the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, and the Greater Antilles by Saturday and were expected to reach the US East Coast, Atlantic Canada, and the Bahamas later in the weekend.

But Florida has more reasons to worry. Hurricane Milton reached Category 5 and is expected to cause serious damage to the Floridian coastal regions.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that "Milton is an extremely dangerous, life-threatening storm."

"Leave now if you are in an evacuation zone; there will not be time to leave on Wednesday."

Meanwhile, Kirk is a fast-moving storm, and the Azores are projected to be impacted by these swells by Monday.

Meteorologists and weather forecasters believe that Kirk is not expected to make direct landfall.

Nevertheless, its path will still lead to significant meteorological impacts and potentially problematic consequences near the shore.

A red alert was issued for the Azorean western island group.

As the storm continues to move northwest, then northeast, over cooler waters, it is likely to transition into a post-tropical storm as it approaches Europe.

The transformation will reduce its strength as a hurricane but could still lead to severe weather events, especially in Portugal and other parts of Europe.

Impacts in Europe

As Kirk approaches mainland Portugal early this week, it will likely have downgraded to a strong extratropical storm.

Despite losing its tropical hurricane characteristics, Kirk could still bring intense rainfall, high winds, and dangerous maritime conditions to northern and central Portugal, and also Spain's Galicia region.

Regions like Minho, Douro Litoral, and Alto Tâmega may experience wind gusts exceeding 70 miles per hour (110 kilometers per hour), while heavy rainfall, up to 80 mm in 24 hours, could fall in mountainous areas of northern Portugal, particularly in the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, and Vila Real.

Additionally, rough seas will affect the Portuguese coast, with wave heights expected to reach between 16 and 50 feet (5 and 15 meters) or more, particularly along the northern and central coast.

Nazaré could see the first big swell of the 2024/2025 season reaching Praia do Norte's underwater canyon.

These adverse weather conditions may continue as the storm impacts other parts of Europe, especially as it moves toward the coast of France and the Bay of Biscay.

High-surf warnings have been issued.

Wider Atlantic Hurricane Activity

The Atlantic hurricane season remains active, with other storms also posing threats.

Tropical Storm Milton, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to strengthen into a hurricane and bring potential life-threatening impacts to Florida's west coast.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Leslie, a Category 1 storm in the eastern Atlantic, is weakening but remains under observation.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak activity usually occurring from mid-August to mid-October.

Kirk, Milton, and Leslie are among the latest in a series of significant storms during a highly active period, which follows the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Helene in the southeastern US last week.

Helene left a tragic death toll and widespread destruction, with President Biden overseeing relief efforts, promising federal support for recovery in states like Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com