Status orange wind warning in place for four counties with thundery showers expected

Strong winds as well as some very heavy and thundery showers are poised to strike the west coast in the coming hours with Met Éireann warning of dangerous and disruptive conditions.

The forecaster has issued a status orange wind warning, which means “dangerous and disruptive” conditions, for counties Clare, Cork, Kerry, and Galway from 3pm until midnight.

The orange wind warning has been issued in anticipation of strong to gale force westerly winds, coupled with spring tides. Met Éireann also warned that coastal flooding is likely in those regions.

Meanwhile, there is a status yellow warning, which means “localised danger”, in place for wind and rain across the entire country until midnight tonight.

That warning has been issued in response to very strong and gusty southwesterly winds in conjunction with spring tides, which “may lead to coastal flooding”.

The forecaster also warned of squally showers, with a chance of thunderstorms, which may lead to localised flooding.

Met Éireann meteorologist Mark Bowe said the weather warnings in place have been issued in response to a low pressure system that is currently out in the Atlantic but which is tracking towards Ireland in the wake of Storm Gerrit.

“That is moving closer to the country so we are expecting some very strong westerly winds to move into western counties by this afternoon,” he said. “That will bring some very heavy and thundery showers.

“The thing to remember is these westerly winds are coupled with some spring tides as well, so coastal flooding is likely. There will be big waves crashing on shore and on roads in Atlantic coastal counties.”

Property owners in Cork were urged to take precautions and batten down the hatches amid the warnings.

Gardaí in Bandon and Fermoy said they had received no reports of flooding this morning despite near continuous rain overnight, though Cork County Council staff were putting up flood protection barriers in both Mallow and Fermoy as heavy rain along the Blackwater catchment was due to carry down the valley over the next 24 hours.

Rolling road closures are in effect across the county. The R587 in Dunmanway and the R621 in Mallow are closed due to flooding.

Pumps have been deployed in Bantry where a small number of business premises were flooded briefly overnight.

Gardaí in Midleton, which was badly flooded to depths of over a metre last October in Storm Babet, said they had not received any reports of flooding in east Cork so far, while gardaí in Tralee had received no reports of flooding or blocked roads as yet.

Meanwhile, Cork County Council issued a general warning to “stay high, stay dry and stay away from the coast, rivers and lakes”, with homeowners told to take necessary precautions.

The inclement weather will also continue into Thursday, with a status yellow wind and rain warning in place for counties Clare, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo from midnight tonight until 6am tomorrow.

The areas affected are likely to face southwest to west winds, which will be strong and gusty at times. A combination of spring tides, large waves, and strong winds may result in some coastal flooding.

There is also a warning of more squally showers over that period, which may lead to localised flooding.

Galway County Council on Wednesday warned people to “stay back, stay high, and stay dry”. Car parks are closed at Tofts in Salthill, Silverstrand, and Ballyloughane, where only local access is permitted.

The local authority said sandbags are available the tourist kiosk in Salthill; Claddagh Hall; the fire station on Fr Burke Road; Spanish Arch; and the docks beside the pedestrian crossing on St Nicholas Street. Emergency crews are on standby.

There will be a road closure in Salthill from the roundabout at Seapoint as far as Galway Business School from 2pm. Potential weather impacts in Salthill include overtopping and flooding.

Met Éireann has also issued a status orange marine warning for storms from Howth Head to Dungarvan to Slyne Head and on the Irish Sea. Southwest winds will reach storm force 10 at times. That warning is in place from 5pm until 3am on Thursday.

There is a small craft warning in place for all coasts of Ireland until 6am on Friday. Southwesterly winds, veering westerly, will reach force six or higher.

There is also a status yellow gale warning in place from Belfast Lough to Hook Head to Erris Head and on the Irish Sea until 4am on Thursday. Southwesterly winds will reach gale force eight or strong gale force nine.

Mr Bowe added: “The unsettled weather will hang around with us from Friday and into Saturday when we are expecting some very strong winds again.”