Storm Erik set to lash Irish coast
Alerts on 130kmh gusts & showers
TWO weather warnings are in place today as Storm Erik lashes Ireland with “damaging” gale force gusts.
A Status Orange alert for counties Galway and Mayo came into effect at 5am and remains in place until 1pm while a similar caution for Co Donegal spans from 9am until 6am tomorrow.
Met Eireann said the country will be battered by severe gusts up to 130kmh.
It added: “The highest winds will be in exposed coastal areas. Very high seas as well with some coastal flooding.”
Yesterday, the forecaster upgraded a Status Yellow weather advisory to a nationwide alert.
It said: “Southwest to west winds will reach mean speeds of 50kmh to 65kmh with gusts of 80kmh to 110kmh.
“Along exposed Atlantic coasts these values may be exceeded for a while.” This warning will be in place from 5am until 6am tomorrow.
A forecaster said: “Potentially damaging gusts may occur near Atlantic coasts towards dawn.”
Tomorrow will start off windy with further scattered spells of rain. A forecaster said: “The showers will be most frequent in the west and north, with an ongoing risk of hail and thunder but they will gradually become more isolated towards evening.” Highest temperatures will be around 6C to 9C but it will be a cold night with lows of 1C.
The forecaster said: “Strong and gusty south-westerly winds will gradually abate. Showers will continue to affect Atlantic coastal counties on Saturday night but it will be largely dry with clear spells elsewhere.
“Light south-west winds will freshen and veer westerly overnight, helping to mitigate the risk of frost and icy patches.” Storm on way