Humberto Will Head to the U.K. After Impacting Bermuda

Bermuda is going to see a double whammy of tropical weather this week as both Humberto and Imelda meander near the group of islands. After impacting Bermuda, Humberto is then expected to barrel across the Atlantic and toward western Europe and the United Kingdom (U.K.). In other words, it is another typical week in the tropical Atlantic. Here is what you need to know.

First Up for Humberto is Bermuda

Bermuda will be the first region to feel the impacts of Hurricane Humberto. The latest forecast models signal that Humberto will brush past the islands as a major hurricane before speeding across the North Atlantic on its way to Europe by the end of the week.

Hurricane Humberto was a Category 4 hurricane packing sustained winds of 140 mph, as of the late Monday update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm is located approximately 300 miles southwest of Bermuda as it moves to the north-northwest at a speed of 13 mph.

While the hurricane is not expected to make a direct hit in Bermuda, its growing size means that the islands will be under the gun for tropical storm conditions as the rain bands and wind field expand. As of late Monday, the hurricane-force winds from Humberto stretched out from the center by 75 miles. The tropical storm-force winds extended by about 185 miles. The impacts from Humberto were already being felt on Monday. Forecasters warn that Bermuda will see the effects through early Wednesday.

The eye of the storm is predicted to pass to the west and the north of Bermuda beginning on Tuesday. Unfortunately for Bermuda, the eastern and stronger side of the hurricane will pass closest to the island territory. This differs from Hurricane Gabrielle, a storm that unleashed the weaker western-side impacts on Bermuda last week.

The forecast is calling for wind gusts of up to 60 mph into early Wednesday. Bermuda has been built up with strict building codes, meaning that it can generally withstand winds of this magnitude without major issues. Humberto is anticipated to dump widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches on Bermuda by the time it exits the region.

The people of Bermuda will barely have time to catch their breath before Imelda comes knocking on the door. While Imelda was a tropical storm late Monday as it churned off the coast of Florida, it is forecast to strengthen into a Category 1 or 2 hurricane as it moves away from the U.S. coastline and approaches Bermuda. There is a chance that Imelda could pass directly over the islands.

The rough seas produced by Imelda will likely impact Bermuda late Wednesday and through Thursday. The islands should prepare for winds of up to 100 mph if Imelda delivers a direct hit. Winds of this strength are capable of causing minor structural damage and widespread power outages.

Imelda will also be a major rain producer for Bermuda with a forecast of 1 to 2 inches. This rain will add to the total anticipated as Humberto brushes by the islands. The storm surge and overwash expected with Imelda will increase the threat of urban and coastal flooding.