Volatile ex-Hurricane Ophelia has sparked "danger to life" warnings of 80mph winds, heavy downpours and large waves, as it continues to hurtle towards to UK.

The country is on course to be thrashed by the remnants of the storm system, which has set the record for the strongest hurricane to hit east of the Atlantic.

Weather officials have warned of a "danger to life from flying debris" with gale-force gusts expected in coastal areas, particularly in Northern Ireland where an amber weather alert has been issued.

The ex-hurricane's arrival coincides with the 30-year anniversary since The Great Storm, which killed 18 people in 1987.

The worst of the conditions are predicted to centre mainly to the north and west of the country, where road, rail, air and ferry disruption, power cuts and lack of mobile phone coverage will be likely.

Areas of Northern Ireland, Scotland, northern England, Wales and the south-west should brace for frequent outbreaks of rain predicted to edge eastwards, alongside blustery winds of 55-65mph.

However, gusts could approach 80mph across central Scotland and parts of north-west England, with tidal waves possible.

According to forecasters, wave heights are predicted to increase significantly along coastal areas with heights between 20ft and 45ft as Ophelia approaches and moves over the British Isles.

Forecaster Katie Greening, of The Weather Channel, said forecast models are coming into agreement that Ophelia will become a deep low pressure system Monday morning (October 16) as it approaches the UK, with some stormy conditions expected.

She said: "Ophelia is expected to begin extra-tropical transition on Sunday night and into Monday morning.

"Ophelia will begin to weaken to a strong and vigorous baroclinic low, while entering the mid-latitudes and cooler waters but retain it tropical characteristics with a relatively warm core and powerful winds.

"A developing wave-low ahead of Ophelia and associated cold front will bring light rain and cloud to Ireland Sunday. Before Ophelia spreads heavier rain Monday with strong southeast winds, later veering southwesterly."

This satellite image released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Ophelia, top centre, on Sunday (October 15)

The forecaster also said Ophelia is expected to pass over ​northwest​ Ireland on Monday night, and by Tuesday morning (October 17) the ​low​ centre looks set to pass over ​north​ Scotland and into the ​North​ Sea.

She added: "At the moment, the worst of the conditions look set to be over Ireland and more especially the west."

Dr Dave Reynolds, senior forecaster of The Weather Channel, said there is a danger to life especially for parts of Ireland, with moderate risk to structural damage likely and high risk of trees being uprooted.

He added: "Branches will be torn off many trees, roads will be blocked by falling debris and flooding and blackouts are likely as debris fall on the low voltage distribution network and (moderate risk) lower circuits of the transmission network."

On Saturday (October 14) the hurricane strengthened to category three status, with peak winds near 115 mph, before weakening back down to a category 2 hurricane on Sunday morning.

However, cold sea temperatures mean Ophelia will not be strong enough to be labelled as a hurricane when it reaches the UK, instead it will be extra-tropical.

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