Ex-hurricane Ophelia still continues to intimidate population across Ireland and the United Kingdom. Declared as a post-tropical cyclone sometime during Sunday, it still has enough power to bring some serious damage. According to Irish weather service, Met Éireann, a Red warning has been issued for Ireland, where the worst of winds have been over Munster. Turns of heavy rain, storm surges and scattered thunderstorms along some coasts will lead to flooding. The major warning will be in effect till 11:59 PM tonight. All schools and colleges have been advised to remain closed today.
The good news for Ireland is that winds from the southwest will be decreasing overnight and it is going to be mainly dry, especially in the south with the minimum temperatures of seven to nine degrees. For tomorrow is expected to be 14 to 16 degrees.
Strong winds spreading across the remainder of Ireland and parts of United Kingdom
As post-tropical cyclone Ophelia subsides in the most parts of Ireland, strong winds still await the United Kingdom. The U.S National Hurricane Center said the storm will most probably last for three days, starting Sunday and is expected to disburse near western Norway by Tuesday night. The rainfall is expected to produce amounts of two to three inches. Right now maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph (140km/h) with higher gusts.
The center of the post-tropical cyclone will move near western Ireland today and then near northern Scotland sometime tonight. Preparations to protect lives and property should be completed today. The Met Office in the UK issues a yellow severe weather warning ( the meaning: To warn the public and emergency responders of severe or hazardous weather which has the potential to cause danger to life or widespread disruption).
In addition, it is said that 80-mph gusts could hit Northern Ireland and warned of potential power cuts and interruption to transport and phone signals. Scotland, Wales, and England could also be on the path of strong winds.
The history and strength of Ophelia
Hurricane Ophelia was the fifteenth named tropical cyclone and the eighth hurricane of the 2005 hurricane season.
It was the most remembered for its very erratic and supremely slow track off the East Coast of the United States, changing several times between hurricane and tropical storm. As Met Éireann meteorologist Deidre Lowe said: ' It is unheard of for a hurricane to form this far east in the Atlantic and then take a south-to-north track directly across Ireland'. Ophelia reported to took two lives so far. One woman died in Waterford when a tree struck the car she was travelling in and a man died in Tipperary with a chainsaw while clearing a fallen tree. More than 300.000 homes and offices are without electricity and ferries to Britain as well as some flights have been cancelled. Gardaí continue to advise people not to go outside and put their lives at risk.
