Latest: Hurricane Ophelia upgraded to Category 3 as Status Red warning issued
'Ophelia' has been upgraded to a rare Category 3 Hurricane by the National Hurricane Centre in the US.
Met Éireann has already issued a Status Red weather warning for Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork and Kerry as the powerful weather system heads across the Atlantic towards Ireland.
Latest on #HurricaneOphelia ... pic.twitter.com/QfKBbQG1ct
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) October 14, 2017
Bus Éireann warned that School Transport Scheme services it operates in Cork, Kerry, Clare, Mayo & Galway will not operate on Monday.
Since 2015, the transport service has had a policy not to run school buses in areas affected by a Status Red weather warning to ensure school children are not endangered in any way.
#Ophelia is now a category 3 #hurricane with 115-mph winds- the farthest east one on record for the basin- incredible transformation! pic.twitter.com/D8diFP4NFJ
— Eric Blake 🌀 (@EricBlake12) October 14, 2017
"We are aware this decision may cause inconvenience, but safety of schoolchildren is our number one priority," a statement from Bus Éireann read.
Latest update on hurricane #Ophelia heading towards UK & IRL pic.twitter.com/cG2eb5zCPL
— OliverBurke (@olivergburke) October 14, 2017
"Schools will make their own decisions on whether to open or remain closed, but School Transport Scheme services will not operate in – or into – areas affected by Status Red.
"Services are expected to resume in these counties on Tuesday... please see www.buseireann.ie for updates in relation to this - and other service disruption"
A Status Orange Wind Warning is in place for the rest of the country.
Meteorologist Joan Blackburn says windy conditions are expected across the country. forecasting “a generally wet and story day, but the most sever winds are likely to in those coastal counties.
“Generally across the country we are expecting mean speeds of 65-80kmp/h, with gusts of 110-130km/h, and then in those coastal counties of Cork to Mayo, we could well see gusts in excess of 130 km/h.”
Ex-hurricane Ophelia is expected to bring severe winds and stormy conditions on Monday.
RED WIND WARNING ISSUED
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 14, 2017
For Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway & Mayo
Valid: Mon 9am - Tues 3am
Gusts in excess of 130km/hhttps://t.co/LIC2EnKayX pic.twitter.com/XfXqxxrHox
Met Éireann have issued a Status Red Wind Warning for Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork and Kerry.
The warning is valid through Monday and early Tuesday.
Image of hurricane #Ophelia this afternoon
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 13, 2017
Currently located approx 1,300km west of the Canary Islands.
Due to affect Ireland from Sun night pic.twitter.com/ErEwaJbrwA
In these regions, there will be wind speeds in excess of 80 km/h and gusts in excess of 130km/h are expected, potentially causing structural damage and disruption.
It will also result in dangerous marine conditions due to high seas and potential flooding, according to Met Éireann.
The rest of the country is under a Status Orange warning, meaning wind speeds between 65 and 80km/h and gusts of up to 130km/h although some inland areas will not be as heavily affected.
