THE latest updates on ex-hurricane Ophelia show the path of the storm has shifted and Derry, Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Sligo will be the worst affected.
Forecasters at the Met Office and Met Eireann say the most severe time when winds are at their peak across Derry and in Donegal will be from 3 pm onwards.
Ex-Hurricane Ophelia is forecast to track directly over Ireland during daytime today and every county is under a status red wind warning.
Violent and destructive gusts are forecast with all areas at risk. Winds are forecast at maximums of 120 – 140 km/h. Heavy rain and strong storm surges may bring flooding in coastal areas.
From 7 am the coastal areas of Counties Cork and Kerry are most at risk as the storm moves upwards.
Eastern counties will be hit in the afternoon before the most severe gusts strike Donegal after 3pm.
The storm is expected to cause severe disruption across Northern Ireland and has already led to several official announcements including:
- All further education colleges will be closed, the Department for the Economy has confirmed
- Classes at Ulster University and St Mary’s University College are cancelled, while classes at Queen’s University are cancelled after midday.
- Translink has suspended its X3/X4 Derry to Dublin services and warned of further disruptions to bus and train services throughout the day as the reaches northern counties
- Bus Éireann have cancelled all bus services in the Republic of Ireland from 5 am to 2 pm.
- Some flight cancellations are confirmed at Belfast Citty Airport
- Up to 125 flights are cancelled to and from Dublin Airport later – passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling
- The South Eastern Health Trust has suspended transport clients going to day centres
- Exams body CCEA has announced that Level 1 and Level 2 Essential Skills exams set for Monday have been postponed until Thursday
The strongest winds are expected to hit the North of Ireland from 3 pm onwards
The Department of Education in Northern Ireland issued a statement on Sunday night and said its decision on school closures was “entirely precautionary”.
“However, given the weather warnings and the fact that the most severe weather is forecast for when pupils are due to be leaving school, the department believes that this is an appropriate response,” it added.
The Met Office said that a spell of “very windy weather” on Monday afternoon and evening has the “potential for injuries and danger to life”.
Tags:
