Met Éireann will roll out a new localized weather alert system later this year, replacing the current county-wide warnings with a polygon-based system that divides the country into sub-county zones.
New Localized Weather Alert System Coming in 2026
The forecaster is developing the new system to allow warnings to be issued for specific areas, rather than entire counties, providing more precise guidance to communities.
In a written response to a Parliamentary Question from Laois Fine Gael TD Willie Aird, Met Éireann stated the current system is well established, robust, and aligned with international best practice. The organization added that the enhanced localization will “provide clearer direction to those at risk and support more targeted emergency preparedness.”
Deputy Aird welcomed the proposed change, stating the current system is too broad for Ireland’s varied landscape and island conditions, often failing to reflect the actual risk on the ground. He noted that during named storms and periods of wintry weather, Status Orange or Red alerts are sometimes issued for multiple counties when severe conditions are only present in specific areas.
“The new system will bring clarity. It will end the unnecessary disruption that blanket county warnings can cause while still giving clear safety information to the people who need it,” Deputy Aird said.
He cited the heavy snowfall in January 2025 as an example, where a more targeted approach would have been appropriate. High ground areas of Laois, Kilkenny, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary experienced red alert conditions with disruptive snowfall, while lower-lying parts of those counties had mostly rain. “A county-wide warning simply does not reflect that reality,” he said.
“People do not live their lives by county borders. Weather does not respect them either. This is a practical step that will help protect homes, businesses and lives,” Deputy Aird concluded.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
