Hurricane Ophelia: Latest updates

Summary

Winds of 80mph (130km/h) are expected as the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia head towards the UK from the Atlantic Ocean
The Republic of Ireland is bearing the brunt - and gusts of 109mph have already been measured off its south coast
Three people have been killed in separate storm-related incidents in the Irish Republic
Thousands of homes are without power in the Irish Republic
Amber wind warnings are in place in Northern Ireland and in parts of Wales
The Met Office in the UK warns of a "potential danger to life"
Schools are closed in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland because of the weather
The Irish government deploys its army to coastal counties, and Irish bus and tram services have been suspended

Live Reporting

Megan Fisher and John Hand

Isle of Man ferries cancelled as Storm Ophelia threatenspublished at 09:19 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
All ferry crossings between Liverpool, Heysham and the Isle of Man have been cancelled, external ahead of the arrival of storm Ophelia.
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The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said the 07:00, 15:00 and 19:45 sailings frrom Douglas to the UK, as well as the return crossings, have been called off based on the latest weather forecast.
The Met Office is forecasting gusts of 60mph (96 km/h), with coastal areas set to be the hardest hit.
More coverage of the storm here.
'Stay away from coasts' warningpublished at 09:12 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Coastguards are urging people to stay away from the coast in Devon and Cornwall because of Ophelia.
Waves of up to 20ft (6.1m) are predicted in some areas, along with winds of up to 55mph.
Coastguards said that "playing chicken and wave dodging" in such conditions was "just not worth risking your life for - sometimes the waves will win".
Transport delays because of poor weatherpublished at 09:09 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Translink in Northern Ireland is issuing live updates on bus and train services from its Twitter page - so far it's reporting some delays to trains.
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Dublin Airport cancels 125 flights as storm moves inpublished at 09:07 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Dublin Airport has now cancelled up to 125 flights as Ophelia moves towards Ireland.
All updates can be found on the airport's website, external.
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Ophelia hits power supplies in Irelandpublished at 09:04 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Major outages in parts of Cork and Kerry have left close to 3,000 people without power this morning.
Some 5,000 customers are currently without electrical power in the south of Ireland, Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports.
Universities suspend classes in NI and Irelandpublished at 08:54 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Universities and colleges have suspended classes across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as the countries brace for Ophelia.
The storm is expected to make landfall in County Kerry between 09:00 and 10:00 BST.
So far, Queen's University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, and the University of Limerick, external have all closed.
Schools in both countries have also closed.
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Calm before the storm in Walespublished at 08:48 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Image source, Getty Images
Wales is expected to be hit by strong winds later as a result of Ophelia, but for the time being early risers have been enjoying idyllic weather and an unseasonably hot morning.
This fisherman was photographed enjoying the morning in Penarth, while the Met Office has also recorded a temperature of 22C in Aberystwyth.
Irish Foreign Ministry and some national parks closedpublished at 08:44 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
The Irish Foreign Ministry, which includes the country's passport office, is closed due to adverse weather caused by Ophelia.
Staff have been told to not come in to work.
People have been told to avoid Gleanveagh National Park, in Donegal, and Wicklow National Park.
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Huge waves recorded from Ophelia as it approaches Irelandpublished at 08:37 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
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Cornwall school closed due to roof concernspublished at 08:32 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
A secondary school in Mullion, Cornwall, has closed amid concerns that a temporary roofing structure might be "unsafe" during high winds caused by Ophelia.
Mullion School, external said in a statement that the "safety of our staff and students is paramount".
Ophelia is expected to bring winds of up to 80mph (130km/h) and will first hit Ireland, before moving up to Northern Ireland.
Heavy rain and winds will also batter the west coast of England and Wales on Monday.
The stormy weather will hit Scotland by Tuesday, but the winds are expected to dissipate.
Isles of Scilly seeing 67mph windspublished at 08:31 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
BBC Weather presenter tweets...
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Ophelia heads to British Isles 30 years after Great Stormpublished at 08:29 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Media caption,
Michael Fish meets some of the people affected by the 1987 great storm
The remnants of Hurricane Ophelia are due to make landfall in the British Isles on the 30th anniversary of the Great Storm.
On 16 October 1987 the Great Storm battered the south coast of England, killing 18 people and causing £1bn of damage.
The storm will forever be synonymous with Michael Fish's understated forecast, where he dismissed suggestions a hurricane would hit the British Isles.
Although it was not a hurricane, the storm proved hugely destructive, and fatal.
BBC Weather forecast: 'A day of huge contrasts'published at 08:19 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
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Irish Republic preparing for 'worst weather event in 50 years'published at 08:16 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Today Programme
BBC Radio 4
Damien English, the Irish Republic's housing minister, said the country was preparing for what it expected to be "the worst weather event for over 50 years".
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the government's main concern was dealing with localised flooding.
"We're asking people to stay at home when they can and avoid unnecessary travel."
He added that the storm would pass "quite quickly".
Up to 90 flights cancelled at Dublin Airportpublished at 08:09 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Breaking
Image source, Getty Images
Up to 90 flights to and from Dublin Airport have been cancelled, as the country prepares for Ophelia.
Aer Lingus, British Airways, Air France, Cityjet, Emirates and KLM have all cancelled some services.
Ryanair has also cancelled a number of flights from Dublin, Belfast International, and Cork airports as a result of the adverse weather conditions, external.
Full information on Dublin Airport departures and arrivals can be found on the airport's website, external.
How are you preparing for Ophelia?published at 08:03 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Are you preparing for Ophelia, or are you already affected by the storm?
Share your stories with the BBC.
- Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
- WhatsApp: +447555 173285
- Text an SMS or MMS to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international)
- Please read our terms & conditions
What is an amber warning?published at 08:00 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for Ophelia in Northern Ireland, which will be active from 15:00 BST, but what is an amber warning?
The forecaster says disruption from amber-category winds could include falling trees or power lines, disruption to road, rail and ferry transport, and danger to life from large waves on the coast.
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Irish army drafted in as south west prepares for Opheliapublished at 07:52 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Breaking
The Irish government has deployed the army to coastal counties as the country prepares for the storm brought by Ophelia.
Met Eireann has advised people to remain indoors as gusts pose a "potential danger to life".
Meteorologists say it is the most powerful storm ever to have formed so far east in the Atlantic.
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BBC Weather: What to expect from Opheliapublished at 07:44 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Met Eireann advises public to 'remain indoors'published at 07:40 British Summer Time 16 October 2017
Ireland's Met Eireann is advising people to remain indoors as the Republic of Ireland braces itself for Ex-Hurricane Ophelia.
It has advised people to remain indoors in certain areas from the following times:
- 07:00: The coastal areas of counties Cork and Kerry
- 09:00 The remaining parts of Munster
- 12:00: South Leinster and Galway
- 13:00: Dublin and the remaining parts of Leinster
- 15:00: North Connacht and Ulster