A storm in the North Atlantic, named "Dennis" by the British Met Office, is something to behold.
It could become the strongest storm on record in the North Atlantic, which is really saying something considering extremely powerful storms come a dime a dozen in the winter North Atlantic.
The lower the air pressure in the center of a storm, the stronger that storm is. The record lowest air pressure for a North Atlantic storm was 913 millibars in January, 1993 near Scotland. That storm broke apart the super oil tanker Braer on a rocky shoal of the Shetland Islands, causing a massive oil spill, the Weather Channel notes.
Storm Dennis has a shot at breaking the record for the lowest air pressure in a North Atlantic storm, thus becoming more extreme than the 1993 disaster.
Needless to say, ships are advised to avoid the massive storm if possible, given the hurricane force winds and the gigantic waves associated with it
The storm will stay relatively close to Iceland over the next couple of days, but it will fling gales and towering waves all the way to Great Britain and northern Europe. Wave heights of 50 feet are forecast near the coast of Ireland, and winds of up to 70 mph could hit coastal areas.
The lower the air pressure in the center of a storm, the stronger that storm is. The record lowest air pressure for a North Atlantic storm was 913 millibars in January, 1993 near Scotland. That storm broke apart the super oil tanker Braer on a rocky shoal of the Shetland Islands, causing a massive oil spill, the Weather Channel notes.
Storm Dennis has a shot at breaking the record for the lowest air pressure in a North Atlantic storm, thus becoming more extreme than the 1993 disaster.
Needless to say, ships are advised to avoid the massive storm if possible, given the hurricane force winds and the gigantic waves associated with it
The storm will stay relatively close to Iceland over the next couple of days, but it will fling gales and towering waves all the way to Great Britain and northern Europe. Wave heights of 50 feet are forecast near the coast of Ireland, and winds of up to 70 mph could hit coastal areas.
That means Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland in particular face the prospect of coastal flooding and extensive beach erosion by Saturday.
So far, the biggest effects from the storm, at least on land, are likely in Iceland. The Iceland Met Office has issued its highest level weather warning for southwestern Iceland today, which is expecting hurricane like conditions, with winds of 75 mph gusting to 125 mph. Blizzard conditions are forecast amid those powerful winds, and people there are urged to stay home during the storm.
However, before the storm hits, residents are told to secure as many things as possible from the wind. Construction sites were also told to pin everything they can down. Coastal flooding and damage is also likely in Iceland from this beast.
Conditions aren't expected to be quite as dramatic in Iceland's capital city of Reykjavik, but even there, conditions are likely to be dangerous today, with possible hurricane force gusts.
So far, the biggest effects from the storm, at least on land, are likely in Iceland. The Iceland Met Office has issued its highest level weather warning for southwestern Iceland today, which is expecting hurricane like conditions, with winds of 75 mph gusting to 125 mph. Blizzard conditions are forecast amid those powerful winds, and people there are urged to stay home during the storm.
However, before the storm hits, residents are told to secure as many things as possible from the wind. Construction sites were also told to pin everything they can down. Coastal flooding and damage is also likely in Iceland from this beast.
Conditions aren't expected to be quite as dramatic in Iceland's capital city of Reykjavik, but even there, conditions are likely to be dangerous today, with possible hurricane force gusts.
Icelandair is already offering to rebook passengers as flights are likely to be canceled due to "Dennis the Menace."
In both this storm, and the massive blizzard that hit Newfoundand back in January, an ingredient that helped form these two giant storms passed right over New England before causing havoc. But you'd never know it.
In January, a relatively weak storm dumped a few inches of snow on Vermont, then moved on to become the massive Newfoundland blizzard. On Tuesday and Thursday, two weak storms blew past New England, which are helping energize Dennis into the monster it is.
We should be glad these storms didn't blow up anywhere near us, huh?
In both this storm, and the massive blizzard that hit Newfoundand back in January, an ingredient that helped form these two giant storms passed right over New England before causing havoc. But you'd never know it.
In January, a relatively weak storm dumped a few inches of snow on Vermont, then moved on to become the massive Newfoundland blizzard. On Tuesday and Thursday, two weak storms blew past New England, which are helping energize Dennis into the monster it is.
We should be glad these storms didn't blow up anywhere near us, huh?
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