LAST UPDATE | 27 Nov 2018
A STATUS ORANGE wind warning has been issued for six counties as Storm Diana hits Ireland.
The warning applies to counties Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Wexford, Galway and Clare and is due to come into effect at tomorrow morning from 6am.
Met Éireann says that severe winds associated with Storm Diana of 65 to 80 km/h with gusts of 110 to 130 km/h are due to hit the counties.
High seas will also lead to a risk of coastal flooding in these areas.
Meanwhile, a status yellow wind warning for all of Ireland has also been issued and will come into effect tomorrow from 5am and last until 4pm.
Gale force winds associated with Storm Diana with gusts of 90 to 110 km/h are expected.
Today’s weather
A Status Yellow rainfall warning for Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Wicklow, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan was in effect earlier today and lasted until 2pm.
Heavy rainfall occurred overnight and is expected to continue for a time today, with 20-30mm expected to fall, leading to some surface flooding.
As a result of the strong winds, Dublin Port was forced to close to shipping traffic this morning, and the Port Tunnel also closed, causing severe traffic backlogs.
Gardaí said that the Port Tunnel has since reopened and the traffic has been cleared.
Meanwhile, Cork County Council’s severe weather assessment team convened today in relation to possible coastal flooding as a result of the heavy rainfall, tidal surge and expected high winds.
Tidal surges of 0.6m to 0.75m are expected tomorrow, which could give rise to coastal flooding in some locations, depending on the wind direction and the exact timing of peak wind conditions.
Motorist warning
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has asked road users to exercise caution while using the roads today following the announcement of the Status Orange warning.
It’s asking road users to check local weather and traffic conditions before setting out on a trip.
The following advice has been issued:
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are also being asked to wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or belts, and to take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extreme windy conditions as a sudden gust of wind could blow you onto the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Outlook
Looking at this evening, more wet and windy weather is expected to reach the southwest of the country.
Tonight will again be wet and windy. The north and east is expected to begin to dry, but rain elsewhere will spread countrywide along with low cloud and mist.
Tomorrow will be a very windy day, with strong to gale force and very blustery winds.
Conditions are expected to be very changeable and inclement for the rest of the week.
Gales will abate somewhat, but further spells of heavy rain are to be expected tomorrow night.
With reporting from Cormac Fitzgerald
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