Met Éireann has said that it will continue to "closely monitor" Hurricane Lorenzo, which is currently over the south Atlantic Ocean.

The latest projections show that the major storm may come close to Ireland, but forecasters have said its exact path and strength in the North Atlantic are "very uncertain".

According to the US National Hurricane Centre, Lorenzo has strengthened to a category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 250km/h.

The NHC said that it was the strongest hurricane on record this far north and east in the Atlantic basin.

It is currently 2,000km southwest of the Azores island group.

The hurricane is expected to move near or just west of the Azores late on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Met Éireann said it was then expected to gradually head northeastwards in the direction of Ireland.

However, it said its exact track and severity, once it comes closer, was still uncertain.

The storm is expected to lose its major status as it moves northwards across cooler waters.

Here are the 11 am AST Key Messages on Hurricane #Lorenzo. Watches could be issued later today or tonight for the Azores. pic.twitter.com/PSQfmEsHCq

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 29, 2019

In its latest commentary, Met Éireann said: "On the forecast track, Lorenzo is expected to move near or just west of the Azores late Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Thereafter, the exact track and the intensity of Lorenzo as it transitions to an extratropical low is still very uncertain.

"However, one possibility is that it will track northeastwards towards Europe.

"Met Éireann, the UK Met Office and the US National Hurricane Centre (NOAA) are holding daily conference discussions.

"The progress of Lorenzo and any potential impacts for Ireland are being closely monitored."