LAST UPDATE | 12 Jan 2020

MET ÉIREANN HAS extended a Status Orange wind warning across Ireland ahead of the arrival of Storm Brendan tomorrow.

The wind warning will now be in place for Connacht, Donegal and Kerry from 5am tomorrow until 9pm. 

The wind warning is in place in the rest of the country from 8am tomorrow until 3pm. 

The government’s National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management Team says that it has been in continuous contact with Mét Éireann and warned of a “significant risk of coastal flooding due to the combination of high spring tides and storm surge”. 

Several local councils have begun reinforcing flood defences in advance of the storm, which is expected to bring gusts of up to 130 km/h or higher in exposed areas.

Galway City Council today warned residents about the potential for strong gusts and has said that been reinforcing the barriers at Spanish Arch in the city. 

The public car parks on Salthill Promenade and Toft Park are to be closed from 2pm today.

Cork City Council has also sought to raise awareness about a potential flooding and has said that high tide is forecast for 7.14am tomorrow. 

Cork County Council’s said its Severe Weather Assessment Team have convened today and that response crews have been put on standby. 

“Cork County Council expects the main impact from Storm Brendan to include fallen trees, possible structural damage from high winds and coastal flooding caused by the storm surge. Coastal property owners are advised to take the usual precautions in advance of this storm,” the council said in a statement this afternoon. 

Dublin City Council said it would erect flood defences and close the car parks at Clontarf and Sandymount from 6am, although the local authority said it expected to open these later on Monday afternoon.

It also said it would be necessary to close some gates along the River Dodder in the Ballsbridge area, and that the council would continue to monitor the weather over the coming days.

Dublin Port Company has said it will temporarily close public access to the Great South Wall and the North Bull Wall Bridge tomorrow afternoon. High tide in Dublin tomorrow is expect at 1.11pm.

Met Éireann has said that Storm Brendan is tracking to the northwest of Ireland and the winds will reach  mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with gusts of 110 to 130 km/h, highest in coastal areas.

The forecaster has also sought to remind people about the meaning of each level in the colour-coded warning systems. A Status Orange warning indicates that weather “may pose a threat to life and property” and has gusts of up to 130 km/h. 

Met Éireann had faced criticism about what some people argued was a lack of warning about a powerful storm in the week before Christmas last month. 

Met Éireann released a meteorologist’s commentary this afternoon providing details about when the approaching storm will begin to be felt on these shores. 

“The strongest winds will be initially along the west coast early on Monday morning before they spread countrywide during the morning affecting eastern counties around midday into the early afternoon,” the forecast says. 

“Disruption to travel and localised structural damage is possible as these winds affect the country.

During the afternoon a second core of extremely strong winds will affect parts of the west and northwest. Gusts are likely to exceed 130 km/h during the afternoon in exposed areas and along the coasts.

“We are also in a period of Spring Tides. Storm Brendan will produce significant storm surges and the combination of these high Spring Tides, onshore storm force winds and storm surge will lead to a risk of flooding along all coasts.

There is a significant risk to the south, west and northwest coasts with an elevated risk for all eastern coastal areas due to the high tides and the projected storm surge forecast.

A Status Red Marine warning is in place for gales in Irish coastal waters with Met Éireann saying that storm force winds will develop across all coastal waters that could reach “violent storm force at times in the west”.

Ahead of the arrival of Storm Brendan, the Irish Coast Guard has also been warning people about the dangers of breaking waves along the coast.

“The Coast Guard strongly advises the public to avoid exposed beaches, cliffs and harbours during storm conditions. If you see someone in trouble, do not hesitate, dial 112 or 999 and ask for Coast Guard,” the service said in a series of tweets this afternoon.

Road users are also being aware that conditions will be hazardous throughout the country tomorrow and that motorists should “slow down and exercise extreme caution”.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has warned motorists that that the control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds and that sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.

The RSA’s website has advice for motorists on staying safe during severe weather. 

With reporting from Stephen McDermott.