Orange alert for Erik as winds set to sweep country

BATTEN down the hatches because gale force gusts are set to sweep the country.

Met Éireann has issued a nationwide Status Yellow wind warning valid across the country from today until tomorrow morning as Storm Erik hits our shores with winds speeds of up to 130kph.

Forecasters have warned that winds could be particularly damaging in exposed coastal areas where high seas may result in coastal flooding.

Galway and Mayo are set to be badly affected by the gale force winds and a Status Orange alert has been issued until after lunchtime today, the same warning is in place until Saturday morning in Donegal.

‘It’s going to be very windy countrywide,’ a forecaster warned. ‘The strongest winds will be over Galway, Mayo and Donegal’.

However, she said that it was ‘unlikely’ that the orange warning would be extended outside of those three counties and the rest of the country is likely to remain in a yellow zone.

‘The winds will abate from the south west on Saturday but particularly along the north coast it’s going to stay very windy […] into Saturday afternoon in the northeast’, she added.

Today strong to gale force south westerly gusts are set to spread across the country before heading westward with potentially damaging conditions on the west and north coasts.

Tomorrow will get off to a blustery start with occasional showers, especially in the north and west of the country and on coasts.

Sunday is expected to be

Wear reflective clothing

cold and bright with light winds and occasional showers but there will be a risk of hail and isolated thunderstorms especially in the west and north of the country.

On Sunday night frost and ice will develop in areas resulting in low temperatures of between -3C and 3C.

Next week is likely to get off to a mild start with cloudy conditions and occasional sunny spells and light breezes.

In advance of Erik’s arrival, the Road Safety Authority has encouraged road users to brace themselves for the windy weather.

RSA experts are asking commuters to watch out for debris blown on to the road and have warned drivers to allow extra space between vehicles and drive with dipped headlights.

Meanwhile, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are being advised to wear reflective clothing and to take extra care in case of sudden strong gusts.