A powerful storm named Amy, formed after a rare meteorological dance between two hurricanes, is racing across the Atlantic and set to strike Europe by Friday. The storm, which originated from the interaction between Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda, poses a significant threat to the British Isles where wind speeds could reach a devastating 180 km/h (112 mph).
The United Kingdom faces the most direct impact, with northern Ireland and Scotland in the storm’s crosshairs. Meteorologists predict extreme weather conditions including hurricane-force winds, waves potentially exceeding 12 meters (39 feet) along the Irish coast, and rainfall accumulations reaching 150 millimeters (6 inches) in the Scottish highlands.
Continental Europe won’t be spared Amy’s fury. The Czech Republic is expected to feel the storm’s effects over the weekend as a powerful cold front sweeps across the region. Saturday evening will likely bring not only rain but also dangerous wind gusts reaching up to 70 km/h (43 mph) in the most exposed areas of Bohemia. Some models even suggest the possibility of gale-force winds exceeding 75 km/h (47 mph), though the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute considers this scenario less likely.
The storm originated from an extraordinary meteorological phenomenon known as the Fujiwhara effect, where Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda interacted at the closest distance recorded between hurricanes since at least the 1960s. This interaction pushed Imelda away from the American coast while simultaneously strengthening it to a Category 2 hurricane that subsequently struck Bermuda.
As Amy approaches, Europeans should prepare for a significant weather pattern shift. After a cool, dry week, the region will experience milder temperatures accompanied by dynamic weather conditions including heavy precipitation and strong winds. Residents across affected areas are advised to take precautions against potential disruptions to transportation and power infrastructure.
