The initial large storm of the season, Storm Ashley, is anticipated to hit Ireland on Sunday, having caused Donegal and Clare counties to be incorporated in Met Éireann’s status orange wind alert on Saturday morning. In addition to these counties, Galway and Mayo have also been announced in the warning, with the prediction of substantial, gusty winds from the south to the southwest accompanying high spring tides. This notice is functional from middle of the day on Sunday until 9pm; anticipations of winds reaching up to 120km/h have been made.
The counties should be prepared for a multitude of effects which will include coastal flooding, colossal coastal waves, scattered loose debris, fallen trees, challenging travel situations and hazardous marine conditions. Apart from this, the potential damage to power lines, resulting power outages, and destruction to already frail structures is inevitable.
The remainder of the country has been subjected to a status yellow wind notice that starts from midnight tonight till 3am on Monday. The entire nation can expect robust and gusty south to southwest winds together with high spring tides. The consequences of these will embrace coastal flooding, enormous coastal waves, uprooting of some trees and branches, complicated travel conditions, as well as scattered debris and shifting of loose objects.
Additionally, a status yellow rain alert has been issued for the counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, and Waterford effective from midnight tonight until 9am on Sunday. Met Éireann has cautioned that Storm Ashley will bring in a period of torrential rain. This could result in spot flooding and possible halts in travel.
A set of marine warnings are also active. A status orange storm alert from Valentia to Erris Head to Malin Head has been put into effect from 10am to 7pm on Sunday. Southwest winds will escalate to storm force 10.
A status yellow gale caution has been issued that spans all Irish coasts as well as the Irish Sea for a 24-hour period, starting from midnight tonight. The southeast winds, shifting to the southwest, are predicted to escalate to eight or nine on the gale scale.
Another status yellow marine gale warning is set from Erris Head to Strangford Lough and Dungarvan, and also over the Irish Sea from tomorrow’s midnight until Monday at 5am. Winds blowing from the southwest to the west are expected to hit gale force eight or nine.
Storm Ashley has been forecasted to impact Ireland for the duration of Sunday, with the wind hitting its peak in the early hours of the morning, and then again in the afternoon and evening. Heavy downpours are expected to manoeuvre northeast in the morning, succeeded by sunshine and sporadic gusty showers. Later in the day, continuous rain is anticipated in western and northern areas, with isolated thunderstorms a possibility.
A meeting took place on Friday, bringing together the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), Met Éireann and representatives of local councils, to discuss the expected storm. Keith Leonard, the national director of the group, advised coastal residents to “stay back, stay high, stay dry.”
Forecaster for Met Éireann, Liz Gavan, suggested that the warnings issued may be escalated “as the confidence increases” and the storm approaches. The potential escalation could involve a substantial rainfall warning, as heavy rain is forecasted across the nation in the morning.
A warning of large coastal waves, in combination with high spring tides, has been issued by the Galway City Council. Crucial discussions between the council, the HSE, An Garda Síochána, Galway Fire Service, the Harbour Master, and the Civil Defence have been happening.
Precautions such as a flood barrier have already been implemented at Spanish Arch, and there will be closures of several car parks. Businesses and homeowners located near the docks or coastal regions have been urged to make use of the sandbags.