MET EIREANN TO UPDATE WEATHER ALERT SYSTEM
Specific examples for colour-coded warnings
MET Eireann is planning a new warning system which will give the public specific examples of what they can expect to happen based on their colour-coded alert system.
The service has come in for criticism over its Yellow, Orange and Red warnings with some suggesting alerts were unnecessary while at other times, people claimed they were not given sufficient warning of potential damage.
A copy of the new system, which was released under FOI by Met Eireann, details how wind speeds will now be increased by around 5kph before a Yellow alert will be issued. Where previously, 10 minutes of gusts between 50 and 65kph would be enough to trigger a Yellow warning, that will be reset at between 55 and 65kph to help avoid the risk of unnecessary alerts.
There has also been changes made to what will trigger a warning regarding low temperatures.
Up to now, an alert would be issued if it was expected to drop to -3C; however, that has been revised slightly upwards to -2C according to the draft plan.
Similar changes were made for more severe Orange and Red warnings for low temperatures, with new limits being set based on the impact of the climate crisis on Ireland.
Met Eireann said a further review of rainfall thresholds was also being examined but would not form part of the new alert system, which is to be published in the first quarter of this year.
The biggest change to the system is more detailed explanations of what can be expected from each warning, with input from agencies like the ESB sought.
For a Ted wind alert with winds consistently above 80kph, damage to buildings, fallen trees, treacherous travelling conditions, and danger to life were all considered potential impacts.
A spokeswoman said: “The updated warnings guidelines will now also include the ‘Potential Impacts’ associated with each hazard and colour code.”