NI Battens Down Hatches As Gales Approach

Northern Ireland is currently preparing for the onslaught of extreme weather conditions of the tailend of Hurricane Katia, as it sweeps across the Atlantic.

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for most of the UK and advised that winds could reach up to 75 mph in exposed parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Many ferry crossings between Belfast and Scotland have already been canceled due to the weather.

The Met Office said: "The remains of Hurricane Katia are expected to come across the UK on Monday bringing a spell of very windy weather.

"There remains some uncertainty about its track and intensity, though with increasing indications that Scotland and Northern Ireland are most likely to bear the brunt the warning has been upgraded to amber here.

"The public should be aware of the risk of disruption to transport and of the possibility of damage to trees and structures."

Exposed areas of Londonderry, Antrim and Tyrone are likely to be hit with severe gales from midday on Monday and the PSNI have advised motorists to drive with extra care.

(JG/CD)