Commencing Thursday at 3 PM, the first warning targets Cork and Kerry and is scheduled to persist until Friday at 1 PM. Meteorologists warn of relentless rain accompanied by thunderstorm activities likely to induce localized flooding, challenging travel conditions, and reduced visibility across these areas.

The second alert encompasses Clare, Limerick, Galway, and Mayo, with similar concerns of substantial rainfall that could initiate localized flooding and render travel precarious. This warning is also set to begin at 3 PM on Thursday but will conclude earlier at 3 AM on Friday.

These advisories are part of a broader forecast of unsettled weather patterns expected to dominate the week, maintaining temperatures near or slightly above the usual for this period. Thursday will witness initial rain spells in the west and northwest, while other regions might experience minor drizzle. As the day progresses, the rainfall is anticipated to intensify and spread eastward, potentially causing more localized flooding. Temperatures will hover between 13°C and 16°C, accompanied by moderate to brisk and gusty southerly winds, shifting northerly in the western regions later in the day.

The night of Thursday will remain wet and breezy with widespread rainfall, although Friday promises some respite in the northwest which is expected to dry up. However, the rest of the country will continue to face unsettled conditions with ongoing rain.

This weather development follows closely on the heels of Storm Ashley, which battered the country last weekend, leading to significant power outages. At the storm’s peak, approximately 53,000 residents were deprived of electricity, particularly in counties Cork, Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Clare, Kerry, and Dublin.

Late yesterday evening, at approximately 7:50 PM, a catastrophic collision between a car and a van on the R338 near Browne Roundabout, adjacent to University Hospital Galway, led to a significant route closure. This incident, occurring on the eve of October 4, 2024, has since caused a ripple effect of traffic congestion throughout the city.

The aftermath of the crash saw the R338, a critical artery for Galway’s traffic, shut down overnight and well into the next day. The closure has led to substantial tailbacks affecting major routes including Westside, Seamus Quirke Road, the Quincentennial Bridge, and extending towards Headford and Tuam Roads. Motorists have faced unprecedented delays, with some areas of the city coming to a near standstill.

Despite the serious nature of the incident, it is somewhat relieving that no injuries have been reported. Local Gardaí were quick to respond to the incident, managing the scene through the night and into Saturday. A Garda spokesperson confirmed the details of the collision, emphasizing the fortunate absence of injuries amidst the severe disruptions.

Authorities are currently advising motorists to expect continued delays in both eastern and western parts of Galway, including the N6, as efforts to clear the wreckage and restore normal traffic flow are ongoing.

Adding to the city’s woes, Galway and several other counties in Ireland are bracing for adverse weather conditions with the approach of two significant storms across the Atlantic. Met Éireann has issued an Orange Weather Warning for Cork, Kerry, and Waterford, and a Yellow Weather Warning for Clare, Limerick, Galway, and Mayo. The impending storms, named Hurricane Kirk and Storm Lesley, are anticipated to bring heavy and intensifying rain, potentially leading to localized flooding and further complicating travel conditions.

Residents are advised to stay updated on weather warnings and to exercise caution while travelling, especially in areas prone to flooding.

As Galway navigates through these compounded challenges of severe weather and traffic disruptions, the community is urged to prioritize safety and stay informed through official updates.

Met Eireann has released a weekend weather update confirming that Ireland will be lashed by heavy rain, thunderstorms, mist, and fog. These conditions are expected to cause significant travel disruptions.

Ryanair has alerted its passengers to “potential disruptions” starting today, as adverse weather conditions are forecasted to affect flights. The airline has apologized for any inconvenience, emphasizing that these delays are “outside of Ryanair’s control.”

A statement on the Ryanair website reads: “Potential disruptions to/from Ireland (Thur 13 Jun) due to high winds and low visibility. Affected passengers will be notified, and any passengers traveling to/from Ireland on Thur 13 Jun should check their Ryanair app for the latest updates on their flight. We regret any inconvenience caused to passengers by these weather conditions, which are outside of Ryanair’s control and affect all airlines operating to/from Ireland on Thur 13 Jun.”

Met Eireann has also issued a status yellow rain warning for Cork and Kerry, effective from 3am on Thursday night until 9am on Friday morning. The warning highlights the risk of spot flooding, difficult travel conditions, and poor visibility in these areas.

Weather expert Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather took to X (formerly Twitter) to emphasize the seriousness of the weather warning: “A few isolated showers will follow the rain, though the showers will start to become a little more frequent in western parts later in the day. A breezy day with moderate to fresh and occasionally gusty south to southeast winds.”

Temperature Forecast:

• Daytime: 13°C to 18°C on Thursday
• Nighttime: Dropping to 10°C to 6°C

Scattered and possibly heavy showers are expected to continue throughout Thursday night. Friday will begin with some sunny spells, but rain will become widespread and heavy as the day progresses. The midlands, east, and southeast regions are likely to experience isolated thunderstorms coupled with hail.

By late afternoon, a band of persistent rain will move across the country, with highest temperatures ranging from 13°C to 17°C. Coastal areas will also experience quite windy conditions.

Friday night will see a mix of dry spells and heavy showers, continuing the trend of unpredictable and severe weather.