Showers but no storm for NI, say forecasters

NORTHERN Ireland will be spared the first named storm to hit the UK this year, forecasters have said, as England and Wales prepare to be battered.

Storm Aileen is expected to bring wind speeds of up to 75mph, but the Met Office has forecast a relatively calm outlook for the rest of the week in Northern Ireland.

There was a yellow weather warning for heavy showers last night which were expected to dump 25mm of rainfall on the province.

“The general trend for Northern Ireland over the next few days will be light showers with occasional sunny spells,” said Robin Steele from the Met Office.

“On Wednesday, more showers are expected in the north west of Northern Ireland with brighter weather expected for Belfast.”

Average temperatures are expected to remain at around 1315C with slightly higher wind speeds tomorrow resulting in a cooler feel overall due to moderate north westerly winds.

“If you’re out on Thursday the north west will feel a little cooler — but Belfast and the Newry area will be more sheltered,” Mr Steele added.

“So, Northern Ireland and Scotland have managed to avoid the first storm of the season, but I have to say we didn’t have too many last year and hopefully that will be the case again going into this autumn and winter.”

The list of names for storms was announced last week by the Met Office and Met Eireann as part of a scheme to raise awareness of extreme weather in the UK and Ireland.

An amber weather warning was issued for last night and this morning for parts of England and Wales, with “very strong winds” of up to 75mph predicted and rainfall of up to 40mm.

The storm is expected to ease by this afternoon for the worst affected areas, leaving a day of blustery showers.

The Met Office said there is no connection between the high winds in the UK and the hurricane devastating the Carribean and the US. The UK’s weather system originates north of the Atlantic, independent of the storms hitting the American coast.