Hurricane Ophelia is the latest weather system brewing up in the Atlantic and latest models show it is heading towards Europe.
Ophelia was given official hurricane status on Wednesday by the National Hurricane Centre.
Models released on Wednesday evening show its path heading towards Spain and Portugal before hitting the Irish coast as a strong extra-topical storm on Monday.
Remnants of #HurricaneOphelia are set to affect parts of Britain next week. Latest Euro model suggests 35ft waves & 80mph gusts for Ireland pic.twitter.com/LD98PwOWqI
— Gary Bywater (@Gary_Bywater) October 11, 2017
The storm is the 10th tropical cyclone to reach hurricane intensity in the Atlantic, which hasn't happened since 1893.
It formed outside what is considered the "main development region" for hurricanes in the Atlantic and may set records for the strongest storm to form in its location.
Not often you see this from the NHC in Miami. 12Z GM’s for early next week. Ireland and SW Eng currently in the firing line. #Ophelia pic.twitter.com/kTIJXwOEmL
— Matt Hugo (@MattHugo81) October 11, 2017
Met Eireann has been cautious so far, warning in its latest update of a "risk of some very strong winds Monday night and early Tuesday especially."
Peter O'Donnell of Irish Weather Online has issued an update tonight on the latest situation.
