Storm Atiyah: Update: Met Éireann issues Status Red weather warning

Met Eireann has issued a Status Red weather warning as Storm Atiyah tracks between Iceland and Ireland today, generating strong winds across the country.

The forecaster issued the warning for severe weather in Kerry, valid from 4pm today, Sunday, until 7pm tonight.

Met Éireann has upgraded its weather warning to a Status Red in Kerry. A Status Orange remains in place for the west and south, while counties in the east are issued a Status Yellow warning.

Counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick have a Status Orange wind warning in place, while there is a Status Yellow warning issued for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tipperary and Waterford.

This is in place until 6am on Monday.

Delays of up to 40 mins to trains between Tralee and Mallow due to #StormAtiyah speed restriction and signal fault at Minish Crossing near Killarney https://twitter.com/irishrail/status/1203645615550414848

— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) December 8, 2019

The warning comes as Storm Atiyah will be tracking between Ireland and Iceland, generating “very strong winds”.

Met Eireann is expecting winds of 65 to 80 km/h with gusts ranging from 110 to 130km/h.

A yellow weather warning is also in place for strong winds for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford from 3pm Sunday until 6am Monday.

Storm Atiyah (Ah-tee-ya) is forecast to track between Iceland and Ireland during Sunday producing strong winds and heavy rain from Saturday evening through to Monday morning.

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 7, 2019

Sunday

Storm Atiyah will bring very windy conditions on Sunday.

“Westerly winds will reach gale force in many areas,” the national forecaster continued. “These winds will be strongest in the afternoon and evening with potentially severe and damaging gusts, with severe gale, to storm-force winds on coasts.

“Winds will be strongest in eastern areas during the evening time. There will be blustery squally showers throughout the day and many of the showers will be heavy, with some of hail and thunder and turning wintry.

The storm will generate very strong winds across the country with southwesterly winds reaching speeds of 65 to 80km/h with gusts from 110 to 130km/h.”

Sunday night

“Continuing very windy or stormy this evening and overnight with severe and locally damaging gusts, alongside widespread showers with the continued risk of hail and thunder.”

Met Eireann added that extreme caution is advised.

The Road Safety Authority is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads during the stormy period. They ask motorists to beware of objects blowing onto the road and to reduce speed. Cyclists and motorcyclists should delay or cancel a planned trip during Storm Atiyah.

Conditions will ease off on Monday after a blustery start to the morning, which will be mainly dry with sunshine developing.

Main photograph: Unsplash