Ireland anticipates the season’s initial severe storm to hit the country later on Sunday, as weather authorities extend an orange wind warning to counties Clare and Donegal. The caution, which also covers Galway and Mayo, predicts strong and gusty winds from the south and southwest in anticipation of Storm Ashley.
Moreover, high spring tides are to be expected along with a forecasted wind speed of up to 120km/h starting from noon on Sunday until 9pm. Counties under the warning would experience impacts such as costal flooding due to large coastal waves; the displacement of unsecured objects, tree falls; extremely challenging travel conditions and dangerous sea conditions. Damage to power lines leading to power outages and further damage to already weakened structures is expected.
Meanwhile, the remaining parts of the country have received a yellow wind warning effective from midnight tonight until 3am Monday. Extreme conditions will include gusty south to southwest winds and high spring tides, causing risks similar to the affected counties on a lesser scale.
Moreover, there is a yellow rain warning in effect, which includes counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, and Waterford, effective from midnight tonight till 9am on Sunday. The warning foretells spot flooding and possible travel disruption due to heavy rain brought on by Storm Ashley.
Additionally, marine advisories have also been dispatched, which include an orange storm warning applicable from Valentia to Erris Head to Malin Head starting Sunday from 10am to 7pm. Storm force 10 southwest winds are predicted.
As per the latest report, a yellow status gale alert has been issued for all Irish coastline regions as well as the Irish Sea over the next 24 hours starting from midnight tonight. Southeast winds expected to turn southwest, are predicted to rise to either gale force eight or a powerful gale force nine.
Additionally, there is a yellow status marine gale warning that will be effective from Erris Head to Strangford Lough and Dungarvan, and again on the Irish sea from tomorrow’s midnight till 5am on the following Monday morning. The wind is likely to blow from the southwest to west and could reach a force of eight gale or a forceful nine gales.
Further, the weather expert has indicated that storm Ashley will impact Ireland all of Sunday. The harshest winds are anticipated to be felt early morning, with namely afternoon and evening also being affected.
Amidst the warning, it has been said that the heavy rainfall will depart towards the north-east during morning hours, making way for sunny weather mixed with sporadic gusty showers. Later, uninterrupted rain is expected to hit the western and northern parts, with sporadic thunderstorms also being a possibility.
In light of the impending storm, a meeting was held on Friday amongst the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), Met Éireann and representatives from local authorities. Keith Leonard, the national director of the group, urged those residing in coastal regions to “stay back, stay high, stay dry”.
Met Éireann forecaster Liz Gavan suggested that the warnings could potentially be upgraded “as the confidence increases” the closer we get to the storm. She also pointed out that there may be a heavy rainfall warning, seeing as heavy showers are expected across the country during morning hours.
The Galway City Council raised an alert stating there’s a potential for high coastal waves in conjunction with high spring tides. Consultations have occurred between the council, the HSE, An Garda Síochána, Galway Fire Service, the Harbour Master, and the Civil Defence.
Lastly, a flood barrier has been installed at Spanish Arch, and numerous parking spaces would be closed down. Advice has been provided to businesses and homeowners in the dock/coastal regions to make use of sandbags.