Hurricane Ophelia Has “Continued To Strengthen” As It Makes Its Way To Ireland

Met Éireann has issued a status 'yellow' weather warning for Ireland as Hurricane Ophelia is set to arrive in Ireland on Monday.

Experts say that the remnants of the hurricane has the potential to have a high-impact effect on parts of the country.

They said, "On Monday, an Atlantic storm from the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia will move northwards close to Ireland.

"There is still a high degree of uncertainty regarding the exact track and evolution of the storm. However, storm force winds, heavy rain and high seas are threatened."

Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann, Gerald Fleming, spoke to Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio One and said that it will first hit Cork and Kerry coasts and that warnings could change significantly in the days leading up to it.

He said, "It's taking a very unusual track to get to us. It'll move northwards between the Azores and the Canary Islands, so it looks like it will reach us at some point on Monday, according to the current guidance.

"It seems like it will land on the south-west coast, the Cork and Kerry coasts, but I would have to issue a health warning that it's three to four days away and that track could change significantly in those days."

WEATHER ADVISORY UPDATE
An Atlantic storm - the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia - will pass close to Ireland on Mondayhttps://t.co/LIC2EnKayX pic.twitter.com/XqH8XtNehJ
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 13, 2017

AA Roadwatch has also issued a warning to motorists for Sunday night and into Monday of next week as Hurricane Ophelia could cause "hazardous driving conditions".

They said, "The AA is reminding motorists to drive at speeds suitable to the conditions, allow additional distance between themselves and other vehicles and to be aware of vulnerable road-users.

"Stormy conditions are a real danger as not only do gale force winds make maintaining control of the vehicle more difficult, but heavy rainfall can also greatly increase your stopping distance."