October 12, 2015 Joaquin to Impact Spain, Portugal into Next Week

By By Eric Leister, Meteorologist October 12, 2015, 5:44:09 AM EDT

Joaquin continues its journey across the northern Atlantic toward Europe, where it is expected to impact Spain and Portugal into early next week.

Joaquin is no longer a tropical system as it moves into Spain and Portugal. The cool waters of the northern Atlantic caused Joaquin to transition to a non-tropical system on Wednesday evening. Joaquin will resemble a more typical storm system that reaches Europe from the Atlantic this time of year.







It is not uncommon for a non-tropical former hurricane to impact Europe. As was experienced during once-Hurricane Gonzalo, these systems can remain very potent with damaging winds and flooding rainfall despite no longer having tropical characteristics.

Joaquin, however, is not expected to be a repeat of Gonzalo or any of the most potent former hurricanes to reach Europe.

“Joaquin is expected to be weakening [as it approaches Europe],” stated AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys. “It will essentially encounter a wall, which in this case will be an area of high pressure centered over northern Europe that will force the storm to the south.”

In fact, Roys pointed out “There will be a more potent storm in the Mediterranean this weekend into early next week, while there will be very limited effects from Joaquin."

Heavy rain and localized flash flooding will threaten parts of Italy and the Balkan Peninsula from the more potent storm. Snow should also develop in the Carpathian Mountains through early next week.

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That does not mean that western Europe will escape any impacts from Joaquin.

Joaquin will be forced south toward Spain and Portugal through the beginning of next week, drifting south along the coast.

Due to the weakening of Joaquin, precipitation will generally come in the form of showers to Portugal and northern and western Spain. While there could be pockets of steadier rain in northwestern Spain and northern Portugal, flooding is not expected. The showers will cause more of a disruption to those with outdoor plans in Porto, Lisbon, Madrid and Seville.

Gusty winds will mainly be confined to the coast with gusts up to 65 kph (40 mph). Isolated gusts to 80 kph (50 mph) are not out of the question. "These winds could cause isolated power outages and minor tree damage," said Roys.

Hurricane Joaquin Batters San Salvador



“Rough seas could lead to minor coastal flooding, especially at high tide,” Roys added.

As moisture from Joaquin moves to the east through the beginning of next week, showers will spread across the western and central Mediterranean as well, eventually getting into Italy by Tuesday.

Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski contributed to this story.

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