Met Éireann: Weather warnings likely due to Storm Éowyn
Met Éireann has issued a weather advisory as a deepening low-pressure system, named Storm Éowyn by the UK Met Office, is forecast to track across Ireland on Thursday night (January 23) and Friday.
The storm is forecast to track to the northwest of Ireland bringing strong southeasterly winds which will veer west to south-westerly and intensify through Friday morning.
The weather system will also bring spells of heavy rain across different parts of the country and sleet and snow to parts of the west and north in particular.
The storm may cause dangerous travelling conditions; displaced objects; fallen trees; power outages; surface water flooding and localised river flooding.
Met Éireann said that weather warnings will be issued as this weather event comes within the range of its high-resolution model (2 days ahead) which will provide more detailed information.
The national metrological service is continue to monitor the evolving situation and the public are being advised to check the weather forecast in the coming days for updates and any weather warnings.
Liz Coleman, deputy head of forecasting, said that "Storm Éowyn will bring wet and very windy conditions on Friday, especially in the west and northwest".
"The very strong southwest winds with damaging gusts will start to be felt late on Thursday and will cause dangerous travelling conditions on Friday, with the likelihood of trees down and potentially power outages.
"Wave overtopping is also expected at high tide. There could be localised flooding further into Saturday associated to the heavy rain and to the snow melt, she said.
Coleman said that "western and northwestern counties are likely to see Status Orange wind warnings as a minimum".
She added that they are monitoring the situation closely and will issue warnings as Met Éireann’s high resolution model, which provides information two days ahead, comes into play.
"We are in close contact with the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) and emergency management stakeholders and will provide timely updates as the situation progresses.
"There will be a short respite from the weather on Saturday as Éowyn moves away, but we are also watching a different low-pressure system, forecast to bring impactful winds and further rain on Sunday.
"However, in this case the situation is still too uncertain; we will provide updates as the week progresses," Coleman added.
Meanwhile, Met Éireann has issued a fresh Status Yellow weather warning for heavy fog in parts of the country overnight.
The national forecaster has said that the foggy conditions will lead to impaired visibility.
The weather warning currently applies to Carlow; Cavan; Kildare; Kilkenny; Leitrim; Laois; Longford; Louth; Meath; Monaghan; Offaly; Roscommon; Tipperary; Waterford, and Westmeath.
The alert is due to come into force from 10:00p.m tonight (Tuesday, January 21) and remain in place until 10:00a.m tomorrow.
