A pretty unusual set-up across Britain and Ireland today as the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia affect all areas in one way or another. At this time yesterday Ophelia was a Category 3 Major Hurricane to the east of the Azores and today her remnants will affect the country as a powerful post-tropical system bringing hurricane force winds to parts of Ireland and exceptional October warmth to southeast England.
The main focus today has to be on events over Ireland where severe weather is expected. Already this morning strengthening winds and heavy rain are affecting the country and an increasingly stormy day is expected with gale or severe gale force east or southeast winds strengthening to storm force in the southwest by early this afternoon with gusts of up to 100 mph possible towards the south and southwest. However widespread gales will affect all regions of Ireland with gusts widely in the range of 60 to 80 mph, the winds veering southwesterly as the low pressure system tracks northwards over western parts of the country. Widespread damage and disruption will be possible and it is strongly advised that you do not venture out today.
Meanwhile for the UK a warm and increasingly windy day is expected with strengthening southerly winds developing. There will be plenty of dry weather around across England and Wales with some sunny spells developing, particularly towards the south and east where temperatures will climb to highs of 23°C or 24°C. However for Scotland and Northern Ireland it will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain pushing northwards before somewhat drier conditions follow on from the south for a time. However strengthening winds in these regions later on will bring further showers, and widespread gales or severe gales will develop across Northern Ireland by later this afternoon and into the evening with these strong winds then extending across into Scotland.
Squally showers and gales or severe gales will affect the north of the country tonight with winds easing across Ireland. Winds will also ease for a time over parts of Scotland as the centre of the storm passes through. Further south it will be a mainly dry but breezy night with just a few showers but it won't be a cold night anywhere with temperatures remaining in double figures for most places. Tomorrow is then set to be an improving sort of day with the strong winds and showers in the north slowly pulling away to the northeast and drier, brighter conditions in the south extend further north.
METEOROLOGIST: BARBER
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