Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
AFTER ELLEN, HERE’S FRANCIS..
Just as Storm Ellen passes... Francis arrives
MOST of Northern Ireland can expect heavy rain as Storm Francis arrives later this evening.
The Met Office has issued a Status Yellow warning for rain from midnight tonight until 6am tomorrow.
The forecaster has suggested around 60mm to 90mm of rain could fall as the storm moves from west to east.
Homes and businesses could be flooded, the Met Office have warned.
Motorists have also been advised to take extra precautions, with roads expected to be hazardous in some areas.
Spray could lead to difficult driving conditions and some closures.
Some rural communities may also be cut off by flooded roads.
Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are also thought to be possible. The Met Office forecast said:
“Cloud soon thickening from southwest to bring a broad area of rain to Fermanagh by midnight, pushing across all parts overnight, bringing heavy outbreaks, as winds strengthen.
“On Tuesday, overcast with periods of rain, which turn heavy at times.
“The strong to gale east to northeast winds will gradually ease from the south from mid-morning.”
Looking further ahead into the week, things are set to brighten up. The forecast added: “Friday mainly dry with brighter spells and relatively light winds.
“However, rather cloudy on Thursday with spells of rain crossing from the west.”
Meanwhile, Met Eireann in the Republic has issued major weather alerts for 110kmh winds and intense rainfall amid flooding fears. The deepening system with tropical origins was set to hit coastal areas yesterday afternoon.
A Status Orange warning was yesterday issued for Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Wexford, Cork, Kerry and Waterford.
A Status Yellow alert for Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Clare and Tipperary kicked in at 9pm last night. Carlow Weather’s Alan O’reilly warned: “Rain will arrive and winds will increase as the next storm out in the Atlantic takes aim at Ireland.”