Met Éireann, Ireland’s National Meteorological Service, has triggered two status yellow rain warnings, signaling a heavy rainfall event that is set to impact six counties including the prominent regions of Cork and Kerry. These warnings come into play starting Thursday afternoon and caution against potential thunderstorms and persistent heavy showers that may lead to significant disruptions over the next few days.
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.
