Storm Gerrit: Status orange rain warning for West Cork and Kerry
Heavy And In éireann 'very Showers' Minihane Of Met By Denis Heavy 'followed Rain Has Intense Wednesday Tuesday West Picture: Cork Overnight' On Warned On Kerry
Ireland will see a wet and windy week to close out 2023 as status orange and yellow warnings come into place from St Stephen's night onwards.
A status orange rainfall warning has been issued for West Cork and Kerry, while a status yellow wind and rain warning has been issued for the entire country. Both warnings came into effect at 8pm on Tuesday and will remain in place until midnight on Thursday.
Met Éireann has warned of "very heavy rain overnight" in West Cork and Kerry on Tuesday "followed by intense heavy showers" on Wednesday. Localised flooding is possible, the warning adds.
For the status yellow warning, Met Éireann said: "Heavy rain overnight (Tuesday), followed by heavy showers tomorrow (Wednesday), may lead to localised flooding.
"Strong southerly winds overnight, veering southwesterly tomorrow, in conjunction with spring tides, may lead to coastal flooding."
The poor weather conditions are being caused by Storm Gerrit, which has been named by the UK Met Office.
⚠️#StormGerrit has been named by the UK Met office
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 26, 2023
Yellow rain (orange for Kerry and West Cork) and wind warnings for Ireland
See warning➡️https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS pic.twitter.com/chGsrnuQH7
Up to 30mm of rain is expected to fall in some parts, according to Flood Information Services Ireland.
Cork County Council crews have been deployed ahead of time to check and clear inlets and gullies across the county.
Sandbags and pumping arrangements will be in place across several locations in known problem locations, a council spokesperson said.
Road users are being advised to exercise extreme caution as "driving conditions may be hazardous with surface flooding possible or fallen trees and branches", to avoid driving through flowing or standing water and to be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians.
Property owners are also being advised to take precautions in low-lying areas or areas that are susceptible to flooding.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has advised those in Cork and Kerry to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.
Among their tips are:
- Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is an increased danger of aquaplaning.
- Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles, as they generate a considerable amount of spray, which reduces your visibility. Hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
- Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
Meanwhile, a status orange warning for wind has been issued for Galway by Met Éireann.
The alert will come into place on Wednesday at 6pm and stay in place until 6am on Thursday.
The national forecaster says coastal flooding is likely for the area as "very strong westerly winds" are expected coupled with spring tides.
will be a "rather cold day with spells of sunshine," according to Met Éireann.
While it will be dry in the daytime, sunshine will gradually turn hazier throughout the afternoon.
Met Éireann's latest update reads: "Rain arriving into Munster through the afternoon. Wet and windy weather will slowly extend to remaining areas during the evening and early in the night. Some surface water flooding is possible. Highest afternoon temperatures of 4C to 8C"
It will be a windy day on with early rain clearing to "bright spells and widespread squally showers," Met Éireann said.
The forecasters added that it will be turning "very windy later in the day, especially in the south and west." and throughout Wednesday night.
Hail and thunder are likely on , according to the latest prediction, with some wintry falls on higher ground as things turn colder overnight, with temperatures falling to 1C in parts.
The week will round off with a colder day on , though Met Éireann said there will be some sunny spells in parts.
However, it again notes that some of the showers that are currently being forecast will turn wintry over higher grounds as maximum daytime temperatures reach a peak of 7C.
Once the sun goes down, it will become "very cold" with clear spells and isolated showers, some wintry.
Frost and ice are likely with temperatures falling to lows of -2C to +3C on Friday night.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.