Storm Dennis: Status Yellow weather warning issued nationwide

Various weather warnings are in place across Ireland on Saturday with a Status Yellow warning into Sunday as Storm Dennis sweeps over the country this weekend

Met Éireann has issued status yellow rainfall and wind warnings, with the former cautioning that spells of “heavy, locally thundery rain” will lead to some flooding. The warning came into force at 6am and continues until 9pm.

Saturday

Very wet and very windy spells for the rest of today. Strong to gale force southerly winds will continue with severe gusts and localised thunderstorms. Localised flooding is expected, with some coastal overtopping. Highs today of 9 to 12 degrees. pic.twitter.com/nNV4TYD5Vt

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 15, 2020

“Storm Dennis will bring further very wet and very windy spells for the rest of today with some severe/damaging gusts,” Met Eireann said. “Outbreaks of rain will occur widely, accompanied by strong to gale force southerly winds. The rain will be squally at times with a risk of embedded thunderstorms.”

The Yellow Wind Warning for Ireland highlights the risk of “squally southerly winds veering southwesterly” which will result in gusts of up to 100km/h and mean wind speeds of 50km/h to 65km/h. These winds will be strongest on exposed coasts and higher ground. The warning is in place from 3am to 8pm on Saturday.

A marine warning for gale-force winds is also in place on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea.

Saturday night

Further spells of heavy rain will continue tonight with some thundery downpours and the ongoing risk of flooding. The rain will eventually break up into showers towards Sunday morning. “Winds will ease off somewhat for a time inland, but gales will continue in coastal counties,” they cautioned.

Sunday 

The effects of Storm Dennis will continue into Sunday. They have forecast “A very windy day with stormy conditions in Atlantic coastal counties” along with “sunshine and widespread heavy squally showers, especially in the north and west, with a risk of hail and thunder.”

Some of the showers may turn wintry on higher ground and though highest temperatures will be from 7 to 9 degrees, it will feel colder due to “strong to gale force southwest winds, with severe and damaging gusts.”

Keep in mind, a Wind Warning is now in place until 8pm and a Rainfall Warning until 9pm tonight.

Heavy rain will cause localised flooding and winds will be strongest on coasts and hills.

For driving advice and live traffic news see https://t.co/PSzIBsvOzE pic.twitter.com/MIQqDJHztg

— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) February 15, 2020

AA Roadwatch has advised motorists to take extra care when driving in these conditions over the weekend.

“On wet roads, slow down and allow more room to brake. Remember too that heavy rain can affect visibility. In windy conditions, give a wide berth to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, and bear in mind too that high-sided vehicles are especially vulnerable to strong gusts,” they said.

Main photograph: @meteireann