Updated at 11pm
STORM EVA – THE fifth storm system of the winter serious enough to warrant a name under the new Anglo-Irish storm naming system – is lashing the country this evening.
Two Met Éireann weather warnings are in place – along with a marine warning.
The inclement weather is leading to delays to incoming flights at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports – but there have been no cancellations of arriving flights tonight.
Here’s everything you need to know about the forecasts, and how the weather is affecting travel:
A Status Orange warning is in place for Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork and Kerry until 1am.
From the Met Éireann website:
Southerly winds of mean speeds of 60 to 65km/h gusting 100 to 110km/h will develop this afternoon. Stronger winds of mean speeds of 70 to 80km/h with gusts up to 120 km/h at times, are likely between 1600 and 2200hrs.
A lower Status Yellow warning is in place for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Roscommon, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford until 2am.
Winds of mean speeds of 60 to 65 km/h with gusts of 100 to 110 km/h are expected this evening.
Dublin Airport is in the middle of one of its busiest seasons as thousands of people fly home for Christmas. There haven’t been any cancellations as yet at the capital’s airport – though there have been some delays to arriving flights this evening (see below).
It’s a similar story at Cork and in Shannon – two flights from Manchester to Cork tonight have been delayed for over two hours, and one Ryanair flight from Lanzarote to Shannon has been delayed for over 90 minutes.
At Ireland West Airport Knock, Aer Lingus flight EI2911 from London was diverted to Shannon this evening and an outward flight to Gatwick has also been cancelled.
ROAD
Gardaí are warning people to stay away from waterways and coastal areas particularly on the west coast, where Storm Eva is making its biggest impact.
AA Roadwatch have reported the closing of the Harry Blaney Bridge in Donegal between 4pm and 11pm today due to high winds.
A number of crashes and fallen trees are also being reported around the country this evening.
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority has issued a warning urging road users to take extra care while driving:
Cyclists and pedestrians are also being advised to take extra care when crossing roads and to be sure to walk on footpaths and not on the street.
Road users are being asked to monitor the RSA Twitter account for any updates on driving conditions as the storm progresses.
Rail
Iarnród Éireann is still dealing with the leftover flooding from Storm Desmond - services are operating with some delays and bus transfers are still in place between Limerick and Ennis.
As of yet, there have been no fresh warnings issued for Storm Eva but travellers, again, are advised to keep an eye on the service’s Twitter account.
Sea
For the thousands of people travelling to or from Ireland by ferry, there have been a number of cancellations due to bad weather. Irish Ferries cancelled three of its trips from Holyhead to Dublin today “due to adverse weather conditions on the Irish Sea”.
Passengers are being advised to take later ferries and to keep in contact with the service to keep up-to-date on cancellations.
Stena Line is reporting no disruption to its sailings.
With reporting from Daragh Brophy. Check back for more travel updates as Storm Eva progresses.
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