A rare January hurricane has formed in the Atlantic for the first time in 78 years, US meteorologists report. It is expected to reach the Azores islands today.
A warning has been put out and the Azores government has told people to take precautionary measures.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It is the first to form in January since 1938 – and is only the fourth since records began in 1851. A previous January hurricane, Alice, actually began in December 1954 and lasted into the following year.
Atlantic hurricanes typically arise between June and November, when the waters are at their warmest, and such a severe winter storm is rare. Experts say that although the ocean is cooler than usually needed to turn a tropical storm into a full-blown hurricane, extremely cold winds have produced the necessary difference in temperature.
"It is very unusual to have a hurricane over waters that are near 20 degrees Celsius, but the upper-tropospheric temperatures are estimated to be around -60 degrees", creating the big instability, hurricane specialist Richard Pasch told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Alex's maximum wind speed of 85mph puts it into the lowest category on the Saffir–Simpson Wind Scale, meaning it is unlikely to cause severe damage.
Four Category-1 hurricanes have reached the Azores archipelago since the 1970s, with no significant damage beyond power outages and broken windows.
However, the Miami-based National Hurricane Centre has warned that Alex will bring heavy rains, with the risk of flash-flooding and mudslides.
-
Quiz of The Week: 18 – 24 OctoberQuiz Have you been paying attention to The Week’s news?
-
The Week Unwrapped: Will Grace Wales Bonner change Hermès for the better?Podcast Plus will nuclear fusion deliver us from climate change? Is humour the best way to take on Trump?
-
The week’s best photosIn Pictures A fluffy hug, a toppled tower, and more
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
