Orange Warning for six counties as experts pinpoint 'worse' day with Storm Austen set to hit
A Status Yellow wind and Rain warning is also in place for the entire country
Storm Austen is set to land in Ireland later today and Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange Rain Warning for six counties with heavy rains and strong gusty winds set to batter parts of Ireland.
For Cork, Kerry and Waterford, the warning comes into effect from 10pm Thursday night until 5am on Friday morning. For Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford the warning comes into place from 2am until 8am Friday morning.
Met Éireann has warned of intense rain associated with Storm Austen with possible impacts including disruption and delays to public transport (rail, bus), flooding expected in parts and very difficult travelling conditions.
A Status Yellow Wind and Rain Warning has also been issued for the entire country as heavy rain associated with Storm Austen will spread eastwards across the country. Strong easterly winds will back northwesterly and strengthen further, especially in the south and southeast.
Potential impacts include difficult travelling conditions, localised flooding possible, outdoor events impacted, debris and loose objects displaced and some fallen trees and branches.
This warning is in place from 7pm on Thursday evening until 10am on Friday.
Carlow Weatherman Alan O’Reilly has also warned of the heavy rains to come associated with Storm Austen but has also warned of further heavy rain set to hit this weekend that could be worse than what Storm Austen will bring.
Bus Éireann has also issued advice to customers to check service updates as Storm Austen could bring disruptions.
Chief Customer Officer Allen Parker said,
“Met Éireann is forecasting difficult driving conditions as strong winds and heavy rain cross the country from this evening, and into the weekend as well. There are also warnings about the possibility of flooding, debris and fallen trees on the roads.
“All Bus Éireann services are scheduled to operate as normal, however if any are impacted by the stormy weather, we will post details online as quickly as possible to keep our customers informed.
“The best approach would be to check service updates on our website before leaving home, to minimise any potential disruption”.
For the most up to date service updates, see Bus Éireann’s Website.
Meanwhile Met Éireann has given their five-day-forecast predicting very unsettled conditions, with frequent wet and windy spells.
Today
Starting mostly dry with sunny spells and just isolated showers. However, the afternoon will turn rather wet and breezy in Munster as Storm Austen tracks to the south of Ireland, with very heavy rain developing.
That rain will extend into Connacht and Leinster by the evening. Localised flooding is possible, especially in Munster and Leinster. Light to moderate east to northeast winds will strengthen fresh to strong. Highest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees.
Tonight will continue wet and breezy, though it'll be windier in south and southeastern counties. Widespread rain associated with Storm Austen will affect much of the country, heaviest in Munster and Leinster with some flooding expected.
Isolated thunderstorms will occur too. Cyclonic variable winds will veer northwest and further strengthen overnight, reaching strong gale force along southern coasts. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees.
Friday
Any lingering rain will clear eastern counties by around mid-morning. Sunshine and well scattered blustery showers elsewhere will follow for the rest of the day, mainly affecting western counties. Highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees. Fresh and gusty northwest winds will gradually ease to moderate towards evening.
Mostly dry to start on Friday night, with just a few coastal showers along Atlantic coasts. Overnight wet and windy weather will move from the west, with heavy spells of rain expected across parts of west and southwest. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 8 degrees. Westerly winds will back southerly and freshen, with strong and gusty winds near south and west coasts.
Saturday
A wet and windy start on Saturday with widespread heavy spells of rain. Through the early afternoon, the rain will ease and turn more showery, with further showers moving in the northwest come the evening. Fresh to strong and gusty south to southwest winds will reach gale force in some Atlantic areas. Humid with highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees, mildest across Munster and Leinster.
Scattered showers will continue to feed in from the west overnight, with isolated thunderstorms possible over the north and west. Parts of Munster and south Leinster will remain mostly dry overnight with clear spells developing. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in a brisk westerly wind.
Sunday
A crisp breezy day with sunshine and showers, some of which will be heavy in the west and north. Highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees in a fresh and gusty westerly wind.
Monday
Wet and windy with heavy and persistent rain moving in over southern counties at first. The rain will spread northwards through the morning, gradually easing as it does so. Further showery spells of rain will follow in behind come the evening time.
Light to moderate easterly winds will veer southwesterly and strengthen moderate to fresh and gusty, with gales along Atlantic coasts. Mild, with highest temperatures of 14 to 16 degrees.