Met Éireann has issued several status yellow warnings ahead of the arrival of Storm Floris. The storm is expected to bring strong winds, heavy rain, and the risk of localised flooding to parts of Ireland on Monday.
A status yellow wind warning is in effect for Clare, Galway, Mayo, and Sligo from 2am to 1pm on Monday. Damaging gusts and blustery southwest winds are expected to veer westerly throughout the morning.
A separate wind warning is in place for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, and Leitrim, valid from 4am to 4pm.
The forecaster warns of hazardous driving conditions, possible structural damage, fallen trees, power outages, and wave overtopping along coastal areas. Outdoor events may also be affected.
A third status yellow rain warning has been issued for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo. Heavy downpours and possible thunder could lead to lightning damage and localised flooding.
This rain warning is in place from 2am to 10am on Monday.
Storm Floris is forecast to track across the country overnight Sunday into Monday, with conditions worsening in the early hours.
The UK Met Office has issued a 24-hour status yellow wind warning for all of Northern Ireland, citing the likelihood of “a spell of unseasonably strong and potentially disruptive winds” brought by Storm Floris.
These warnings follow Met Éireann’s nationwide weather advisory, predicting “unseasonably impactful weather” from Sunday night into Monday.
The storm is described as a “deepening low-pressure system” likely to track to the northwest, bringing a spell of “heavy rain and very strong winds.”
Anticipated impacts of the storm include:
- Dangerous travel conditions
- Fallen trees, debris, and loose objects
- Structural damage
- Knock-on impacts for outdoor events
- Power outages
- Wave overtopping
- Localised flooding due to leaves and debris
The advisory remains in effect until 1pm on Monday.
Forecaster Andrew Doran-Sherlock highlighted increased risk due to the public holiday weekend: “As this is a public holiday weekend with a large number of outdoor events and with many people going camping, etc, and with an increased usage of temporary structures such as tents, more people will be at a greater risk of exposure than would normally be the case.”
Mr. Doran-Sherlock also noted that while neap tides will bring the lowest tidal ranges of the cycle on Sunday and Monday, strong onshore winds and high waves may cause wave overtopping in low-lying coastal areas of the northwest and west.
“Our advice would be to pay attention to the weather forecasts and warnings issued over the weekend and take them into consideration with any plans you have. And as always, please heed the advice of local authorities,” he urged.
Looking more broadly, Met Éireann forecasts rain and drizzle to begin Sunday. “Patchy mist and fog will be clearing early on with brighter spells and isolated showers developing from the west,” the forecaster said.
“This afternoon will be cloudier with patches of rain and drizzle developing over parts of Connacht and Munster by later this evening.”
Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 23C.
On Sunday night, as Storm Floris approaches, expect “unseasonably wet and windy weather with spells of rain, heavy at times in the north and northwest”.
It will be mild, with temperatures falling to lows of 11C to 16C, along with “strong or near gale force” winds along Atlantic coasts towards the morning.
Bank Holiday Monday “will start off wet and windy across the country with mostly strong southwesterly winds, strengthening to gale force along western and northern Atlantic coasts”.
Met Éireann predicts rain will clear eastwards through the afternoon, followed by sunny spells and scattered showers.
“Winds will gradually ease through the day with highest temperatures of 14C to 21C, feeling coolest in the north and northwest.”
Monday night will be “mostly dry” and “clear with cloudier conditions and isolated showers in the north and northwest, spreading eastwards overnight”.
Tuesday will see “good bright spells for most”, though with some scattered showers. “Cloud will increase early on for a time before breaking up again by the early afternoon”. Temperatures of up to 20C are anticipated.
Tuesday night will be dry and clear, while Wednesday will see a dry start with spells of hazy sunshine and isolated showers developing in the early afternoon.
The forecast suggests unsettled conditions will likely persist for the remainder of the week with spells of rain expected.
