A status orange wind warning is in place until Wednesday morning, with damaging gusts expected and the risk of coastal flooding from Storm Gareth.
Met Éireann issued its second-highest level of alert for the counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo and Mayo, with gusts of up to 130km/h expected on Tuesday evening.
There will also be heavy rain mixed with hail and thunder as temperatures will only struggle up to 4 degrees in the northwest on Tuesday. The orange weather warning is in place until 9am on Wednesday.
#StormGareth has been named by @MetEireann and is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the UK later on Tuesday and into Wednesday #weatheraware pic.twitter.com/sdpxvNNWy1
— Met Office (@metoffice) March 11, 2019
On orange level wind warning is issued to alert those in affected areas to prepare themselves for the anticipated conditions.
A status yellow rainfall warning has been issued for the western seaboard from 6pm on Monday evening until 6am on Tuesday morning.
‘Short and sharp’
Torrential rain is likely to fall in short bursts, leading to the possibility of flash flooding.
Up to 25mm of rain will fall in many places. The rainfall will be “short and sharp”, according to Met Éireann forecaster Klara Finkele, and will clear away followed by windy conditions.
Westerly winds will reach mean speeds of 65 to 75km/h in the affected counties.
A status yellow wind warning for the rest of the country will be in place from Tuesday midday to midday on Wednesday. Westerly winds will reach mean speeds of 50 to 65km/h with gusts of 90 to 110km/h.
There is a risk of coastal flooding due to high seas along Atlantic coasts.
Ms Finkele advised the public to stay away from exposed coasts and high ground where the status orange weather warning is in place. She warned that strong gales and high seas will bring the possibility of coastal flooding.
The unsettled weather is likely to continue for the rest of the week. Thursday will be a wet day and Friday will be cold.
St Patrick’s weekend looks like it will be cold and showery with a chance of sleet or snow in some places. It will be less windy than of late with widespread frosts at night.
Road advice
Ahead of the expected weather, the RSA has issued the following advice to road users:
- Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected;
- Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road;
- Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong crosswinds. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds;
- Drivers should slow down on wet roads and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front;
- Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds, and
- Drive with dipped headlights at all times.
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are also advised to wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt.
