Status Orange rain warning issued for Cork, Kerry and Waterford on SaturdayStatus Yellow rain warning issued for Clare, Limerick, Galway and Mayo on SaturdayVery heavy and persistent rain as well as river and coastal flooding, dangerous travelling conditions and travel disruption are expected
Waterford has been updated with a Status Orange rain warning, adding to earlier Status Orange warnings for Cork and Kerry.
The warnings are in place for Cork and Kerry starting from midnight on Saturday until midnight, 24 hours later.
And the weather warning for Waterford is in place from noon on Saturday until midnight.
Very heavy and persistent rain as well as river and coastal flooding, dangerous travelling conditions and travel disruption are expected in all three counties under the Status Orange rain warning.
A Status Yellow rain warning for Clare, Limerick, Galway, Mayo is also in place from midnight on Saturday, lasting until midnight on Sunday.
Met Éireann has said the low pressure system leading to this weekend’s poor weather will be slow moving and Waterford was upgraded to a Status Orange warning for a number of reasons.
Counties under yellow warnings will see between 30 and 50mm of rainfall, while parts of the three counties under an orange warning will see 50 to 70mm.
“This is due to a combination of factors: heavy rainfall in mountainous regions, soil conditions which have not recovered from last weekend’s rainfall and the heaviest of the rain coinciding with high tide,” the forecaster’s commentary reads.
“All this coupled with fresh to strong onshore winds which will exacerbate river levels.”
The public has been advised to stay up to date with forecasts and warnings via Met Éireann and check in with local authorities and stakeholders like the Irish Coast Guard and gardaí.
Met Éireann has also recommended keeping mobile phones fully charged in advance of the weather event and keeping a small amount of food, water and medical supplies in case it’s dangerous to leave the home.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has asked road users in the affected counties to take caution over the weekend and to check local traffic and weather conditions when planning journeys.
Drivers have been asked to slow down and allow for greater breaking distances to the vehicle in front and choose an alternative route is the road ahead is flooded.
Pedestrians have been advised to use the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic while walking if there are no footpaths. Cyclists should wear high-visibility clothing and ensure they are using lights on the front and rear of their bike.
Both localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions are expected, Met Éireann said.
Today will be mostly cloudy and damp with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle, before rain warnings hit seven counties this weekend.
Highest temperatures are forecast to be 14 to 17 degrees, ahead of a rainy night, which will be heavy at times with flooding likely, especially in the southwest.
It will be drier in Leinster and Ulster with some patchy rain. Tonight will see lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees.
7 Day Weather Forecast: 30th September – 6th October 2024
Highest temperatures on Saturday of 13 to 15 degrees with further spells of rain and some further flooding at night.
The rain will become lighter overnight with temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees.
On Sunday, rain will gradually clear and sunny spells and showers will follow, some heavy, especially in Munster.
Highest temperatures are forecast to be 15 to 17 degrees dropping to 7 to 11 degrees.
Monday will bring sunny spells and showers, heaviest and most frequent in Munster and south Leinster with localised flooding possible.
Highest temperatures will be between 14 to 17 degrees.
On Tuesday, there will be further showers, some heavy with a chance of isolated thunderstorms, with temperatures between 14 to 16 degrees.
“Overall it will continue unsettled with rain, showers and possibly strong winds at times,” Met Éireann said of next week.
