An official weather warning is expected to be issued at 10am this morning.

Met Éireann experts and the National Emergency Coordination Group are meeting to discuss the potential impact of Hurricane Lorenzo, a violent Category 5 storm, the tail end of which is expected to reach Ireland on Thursday.

Meteorologists say Lorenzo is currently bringing hurricane force winds to the Azores, with gusts to 140 km/h recorded.

The effects of Storm Lorenzo will begin to be felt across Ireland from midday Thursday, peaking late Thursday evening and Thursday night, easing Friday morning.

Last night, Berkeley Earth scientist Robert Rohde warned Irish weather watchers to batten down the hatches, adding that “sustained wind speeds may be close to hurricane force.”

If you live on the island of Ireland, then you should prepare now for a large and dangerous storm, with high winds and very large waves. #Lorenzo

Sustained wind speeds may be close to hurricane force. pic.twitter.com/lITeoUAdnk

— Robert Rohde (@RARohde) October 1, 2019

According to Met Éireann head of forecasting Evelyn Cusack, we can expect a “very strong storm with low pressure which means the seas will be very high”.

The latest forecast warns it will turn wet and windy on Thursday as the outer rain-bands associated with Storm Lorenzo move in.

Here’s what you can expect:

According to Met Éireann, there will be strong and gusty southeast winds with gales at the coast combined with very high seas, but rain will clear to sunny spells and scattered showers by late afternoon with top temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees.

During Thursday evening the centre of Storm Lorenzo will move closer, winds will veer southwesterly and the very strong and gusty winds will begin to extend further inland. There will also be squally showers and a risk of isolated thunderstorms.

Friday: Strong winds and squally rain associated with Storm Lorenzo will clear during the course of Friday morning with some sunny spells developing in the afternoon and highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees.