Ireland braced for 130kmh storm hell
Wind & rain warnings as Atiyah strikes
GAA analyst
Met Eireann has put four weather warnings in place as forecasters warned of “very strong winds across the country”.
A combination of high seas and a “storm surge” also puts the coastal counties at risk of flooding.
The weather event will move between Iceland and Ireland with poor conditions not expected to ease in many places until tomorrow.
A Status Orange wind warning is in place for nine counties from 1pm until 6am.
They are Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service also said eight parks and reserves will be closed today.
They are: Connemara National Park, Knockma Wood (Cnoc Meadha), west of
Joe Brolly in Rathmullan yesterday
Termon ladies GAA team do the Polar Plunge
Tuam, Co Galway; Derryclare Nature Reserve, Co Galway; Wild Nephin, Ballycroy National Park, Co Mayo; Old Head Nature Reserve, Co Mayo; Laughil Wood, near Pontoon, Co Mayo; Dromore Woods Nature Reserve, Co Clare, and Killarney House and Gardens, Co Kerry.
A Met Eireann spokesman said:
Rathmullan gardai take part in yesterday’s event
“South-westerly winds, later veering north-westerly, will reach mean speeds between 65kmh and 80 kmh with gusts between 110kmh and 130kmh, possibly higher in exposed coastal areas.”
A Status Yellow wind warning is in place for the whole of Ireland up to 1pm
Rainfall radar for today and, right, choppy seas in Dun Laoghaire harbour today after being in place overnight. It stated: “West to south-west winds will reach speeds of 50kmh to 65kmh with gusts of 90kmh to 110kmh in places.” This will be overtaken by another yellow warning from 1pm until 6am tomorrow for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Tipperary, Roscommon and Waterford. There is also a rain warning for Donegal up to 6pm today. Met Eireann said rainfall accumulations of 30mm to 40mm are expected in the county alone. Meanwhile, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management’s Severe Weather Team in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has been monitoring Storm Atiyah. It said emergency responses were being organised, as well as a public information campaign. An Garda Siochana will issue safety advice for road users.
when wind warning comes into effect later today
news@irishmirror.ie