Storm Betty latest - Met Éireann issues a Status RED warning

Storm Betty looks set to pound Ireland's southern coast with Met Éireann deciding the impact is enough to declare a Status Red alert along the coasts set to be in the path of the storm front.

The forecaster has already issued Status Yellow and Orange wind and rain warnings for the storm but decided on Friday afternoon that a Status Red marine warning was necessary.

The alert covers sea areas from from Carnsore Point to Dungarvan to Mizen Head along the coasts of Cork, Waterford and Wexford.

The Red gale warning is valid from 9pm on Friday to 3am Saturday.

There is also a status yellow Gale warning for all coasts of Ireland due to the impact of Storm Betty.

BREAKING: Storm Betty to batter Ireland as Met Éireann issues multiple weather warnings

 The Irish Coast Guard says winds will be strongest in southern coastal and midland counties with severe or damaging gusts possible. It says heavy rain or showers will also bring the possibility of localised flooding. There will also be high waves at sea and a possibility of coastal flooding, especially on south and east coasts.  

It warns of storm force 10 and occasionally violent storm force 11 for a time on Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Dungarvan to Mizen Head.

The Irish Coast Guard strongly advises people who are planning any water-based or coastal activities, to check the weather carefully at www.met.ie and consider if the conditions are suitable. 

Strong winds can result in relatively rough seas resulting in perilous sea conditions which could be challenging for water-based actives this weekend. The general advice from the Coast Guard in stormy conditions is to stay back from cliffs and exposed coastal areas and piers where breaking waves can be hazardous. 

If you see someone in difficulty call 999 or 112 and request the Coast Guard. More forecast details for Leinster and the rest of the country below tweet.

As #StormBetty develops many areas should brace for a period of wet & very windy weather, bringing flooding & disruption️️

Watch out for warnings relevant to your circumstances as this storm develops over the next few hours⚠️⤵️https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS pic.twitter.com/8sNqWwCGC1

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) August 18, 2023

The Met Éireann regional forecast for Leinster was issued at 1pm on Friday August 18.

Friday: An increasingly blustery day will be followed by a very wet and windy night. Storm Betty will bring heavy rain and strong winds overnight leading to localised flooding. Very stormy conditions will develop for a time in southeastern coastal areas, with wave overtopping possible. Severe gusts in mountainous areas with strong and gusty southeast winds, veering southwesterly later. Lowest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees .

Saturday: Any lingering overnight rain will clear on Saturday morning to leave a bright and breezy day with sunny spells and just the odd shower. Highest temperatures of 20 to 22 degrees in fresh and gusty southwest winds.

National Outlook
Saturday night: Clear spells and a few showers on Saturday night, the showers mainly affecting the south and west of the country. Lowest temperatures overnight of 12 to 15 degrees in moderate southerly winds.

Sunday: Plenty of dry weather on Sunday with spells of sunshine and just a few showers, mainly confined to Atlantic coastal counties. A fairly warm day with highest temperatures of 18 to 23 degrees in a moderate to fresh southwest breeze. Clear spells and a few showers about early on Sunday night. However, it looks set to become mostly cloudy later with patchy rain developing. A humid night with lowest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees in a moderate southerly breeze.

Monday: It looks set to be a showery day on Monday with sunny spells and fairly widespread showers. Some of the showers are likely to be heavy and prolonged. Top temperatures of 19 to 22 degrees in a moderate to fresh southwest wind. Clear spells and scattered showers on Monday night, the showers mainly affecting Atlantic coastal counties. Lowest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees in light southwest winds.

Tuesday: Another day of bright spells and showers is expected on Tuesday. Heavy and thundery showers are possible, especially during the afternoon. Becoming mostly dry and sunny in the evening. Highest temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees in a moderate southwest breeze. Largely dry on Tuesday night with long clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in light southwest winds.