Met Éireann issues weather warning as Storm Barra to hit Ireland

In: Politics

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow weather warning with Storm Barra expected to hit Ireland within 48 hours.

The storm is expected to impact the island on Tuesday and Wednesday, with strong winds and heavy rain forecast.

The national forecaster said further weather warnings are expected to follow the current status yellow wind warning.

“Through Tuesday and for a time on Wednesday, an Atlantic depression named Storm Barra will bring very strong winds and spells of heavy rain across Ireland. Winds will be strongest in western coastal counties with severe or damaging gusts possible,” Met Éireann said.

“Heavy rain will bring localised flooding. There will also be high waves at sea and a significant possibility of coastal flooding on south and west coasts.”

The warning will take effect at 6am on Tuesday and remain in force until 6am on Wednesday. The UK Met Office has also issued a status yellow wind warning for Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

On Friday, Met Éireann meteorologists said “wintry precipitation” could fall on Tuesday night and Wednesday amid the wet and windy weather, potentially leading to travel disruptions.

Storm Barra is expected to bring gales across much of Ireland during Tuesday, with “damaging gusts” likely in some areas, and “storm force winds” possible at times on Tuesday.

The winds will be accompanied by a spell of heavy rain on Tuesday, followed by heavy showers. Showers will continue overnight Tuesday and through Wednesday.

There is potential for some of the showers to fall as sleet or snow on high ground, as colder air wrapping around the depression centre is pulled over Ireland on Wednesday.