YELLOW PERIL..

Storm Helene to unleash gales & rain

UP to 40mm of heavy rainfall is forecast today as the remnants of tropical storm Helene drenches the west of Ireland.

While Met Eireann said Galway and Mayo will be worst affected, Leinster will not escape the downpours and strong winds.

The Yellow weather warning alert will come into effect at 12pm today and will remain in place until midnight.

Persistent rain is expected in the western parts of Munster, Connacht and Ulster.

The alert could possibly be extended to counties Cork, Wexford, Waterford, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath, and Louth.

Waterford and south Leinster especially are predicted to take the worst of the weather as the eye of the storm passes over.

A Met Eireann spokesman said: “Winds are expected to be strongest at sea and along the south and south-east coasts.

“Winds overland are expected to be moderate to fresh, easterly in direction at first, then becoming cyclonic variable as the eye of the storm passes over.

“The exact track of the storm will determine where the strongest winds will fall and there will be regular updates as this unfolds. “Currently there is a strong signal the strong winds will affect Waterford and south Leinster.” Tuesday is expected to bring strong gusts at the coasts with showers expected in the night. Meanwhile, Storm Florence weakened yesterday as it swept through the Carolinas in the US. But officials said dozens of communities are devastated and “epic” amounts of rain could still fall.

The storm was downgraded to a Tropical Depression about 5am as it moved inland.

mm of rain are expected to fall on Mayo and Galway today