Ophelia - an unprecedented storm in Ireland
Ex-hurricane Ophelia has made landfall in Ireland, bringing strong winds and causing flooding, power outages and disruption to transport. Several fatalities have been reported.
Better to stay inside ...
Tropical Storm Ophelia hit Ireland on Monday morning, carrying gusts of up to 128 km/h (80 mph). Irish Prime Minister or Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, urged people to stay indoors after it made landfall, warning of the dangers of the storm. But at least some have dared to confront the elements to watch Ophelia's approach over the sea ...
... unless there's a good reason
... or take the seemingly inevitable selfie. But it is a risky activity, with the national weather service warning of "danger to life and property." A number of fatalities have been reported.
A freak storm
Ophelia began as a hurricane out in the Atlantic, the largest ever recorded so far east, but was downgraded to tropical storm status as it made landfall. It is the 15th named storm of the 2017 Atlantic season.
Cornwall also feels the force
Huge waves caused by Ophelia also affected the southern UK, as here in the Cornish town of Penzance. But the very strongest winds are forecast to hit only Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The storm came exactly 30 years after the Great Storm hit southern England on October 16, 1987, leaving 18 people dead and causing widespread damage.
Waves in Wales
The storm also sent strong winds over the south and west of Wales. Here, people gather to watch huge waves strike the harbor wall and lighthouse at Porthcawl, South Wales.
The desert comes to London
Ophelia has also brought an eerie atmosphere to London, as sand blown over from the Sahara turned the sky red. Weather has been unseasonably warm in England as well.