Multiple weather warnings are in effect across Ireland and parts of Northern Ireland on Wednesday as heavy rain, strong winds, and potential snow create hazardous conditions. Met Éireann has issued warnings for 18 counties, with concerns over flooding and difficult travel.
Weather Warnings in Place
A yellow wind warning is in place for Wexford, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath and Louth until 1pm today. Met Éireann said strong and gusty southeasterly winds combined with high tides may lead to wave overtopping, fallen trees, loose debris and difficult travelling conditions.
A yellow rain warning has been issued for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford and is valid until 11pm tonight. The national forecaster said rain falling on already saturated ground combined with high river levels will lead to flooding, poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions.
Donegal has been issued with a rain/snow warning valid until 2pm this afternoon. Rain will be heavy at times and turn to sleet or snow, which together with strengthening winds will lead to poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions.
A yellow rain and snow warning has also been issued to Northern Irish counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry until 8pm this evening.
Flooding Risk and Rainfall
Rebecca Cantwell, a meteorologist with Met Éireann, warned of a high risk of flooding in eastern areas, with outbreaks of rainfall forecast throughout the day until 11pm. The combination of rain, high winds, and high tides along the east coast increases the risk of tidal flooding.
“Conditions aren’t going to be great,” Cantwell said, particularly in areas surrounding the Comeragh Mountains and Wicklow Mountains where runoff poses a flooding risk. A cold air front means rain in the northwest could fall as sleet or snow.
Met Éireann senior forecaster Gerry Murphy said the eastern half of the country will experience the highest rainfall, including in Carlow, Waterford, Kilkenny, Wicklow and north Louth. Between 30 and 50mm of rainfall is expected in counties under a yellow rain warning.
The Phoenix Park in Dublin has received 114mm of rainfall over the past two weeks, which is “450 per cent of its average” for the first half of February. Belmullet in Co Mayo and Malin Head in Donegal have had below-average rainfall, but that is expected to change “over the coming week”.
Siobhán Ryan of Met Éireann noted potential impacts including river and coastal flooding, surface water issues, and difficult travelling conditions. She also warned of the potential for falling trees along the east coast due to onshore winds.
Recent Rainfall Data
Valentia Observatory in County Kerry has recorded rain every day for the past 47 days, from January 1st to February 16th. A “rain day” is defined as one where 0.1mm or more of rainfall is recorded.
The total rainfall accumulated at Valentia so far this year is 281.9mm, with daily rainfall ranging from 21.8mm on January 27th to 0.1mm on January 23rd.
Broader Context
France has issued red alerts for flooding in three departments as the aftermath of Storm Nils causes chaos across the country. Flood waters have inundated homes and isolated villages after the Garonne River overflowed its banks.
The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) convened a meeting on Tuesday with local authorities, Met Éireann, relevant Government departments, State agencies and utility providers to prepare for the incoming heavy rain and associated flooding risk. The NDFEM reiterated advice to monitor forecasts, avoid driving through floodwater, and check on vulnerable individuals.
The outlook is expected to remain unsettled until the weekend, when temperatures could rise from 10 to 13 degrees, offering “a little bit of respite.” The ongoing rain is due to a low pressure system in the Atlantic that “continues to dominate.”
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