Hurricane Alex is the first Atlantic storm to form in January since 1938
Tropical storm winds of 85 miles per hour are due to hit Portugal’s Azores islands Friday morning
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The first Atlantic storm to form in January since 1938 has picked up speed to 85-mph winds, due to hit Portugal’s Azores islands Friday morning.
Hurricane Alex, the first named storm of 2016, started to spin about 350 miles south of the islands Thursday afternoon.
Its activity is unusual as tropical storms normally occur over warm waters and is unexpected in the North Atlantic in January.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, according to CNN.
Hurricane Alex was forecast to have sustained winds of 85-mph with higher gusts. It will pick up speed over the Azores, which is home to 250,000 people, on Friday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The population of the Azores islands should prepare for three to five inches of rain, and seven inches in isolated areas, which could trigger life-threatening mudslides or flash floods.
Tropical storm-force winds can reach a span of 175 miles outwards from the storm center.
The storm is expected to head north via Greenland and is not forecast to approach the US or Europe.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments