Main Points
- Nationwide status yellow wind warnings are in force as Storm Chandra hits Ireland.
- Met Éireann said powerful gusts of 124km/h have been reported near Malin Head
- “Winds associated with Storm Chandra will be very strong and gusty particularly on coasts and in exposed areas,” Met Éireann said.
- Road users have been warned of localised flooding, fallen branches and trees and loose debris.
- Wave overtopping is possible in coastal and river areas.
- Meteorologist Rebecca Cantwell said more rain falling on saturated ground meant that flooding is expected.
- The UK Met Office said Storm Chandra will bring “very strong winds” to Northern Ireland and warned of likely cancellations on road, rail, air and ferry services.
- This storm has the potential to damage buildings, with flying roof tiles and other debris posing a danger to life, it said.
In an update, Irish Rail has said delays of up to 40 minutes can be expected for services across the network due to flooding at several locations.
Phoenix Park Tunnel has reopened, it said, with services resuming to Grand Canal Dock, though delays are expected.
Gusts of up to 124km/h recorded in Co Donegal
Wind gusts of up to 124km/h have been recorded Co Donegal, according to Met Éireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy.
Vivienne Clarke reports:
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Mr Murphy said a mean wind speed of 92km/h and a “very severe gust” of 124km/h were recorded in Malin Head this morning.
This alongside an “awful lot of rain” overnight, particularly in Dublin, with 30mm of rain falling in Phoenix Park since midnight.
“So overall the impact is the risk of flooding and the continued risk of flooding as we go through the rest of today and tonight,” he said.
Mr Murphy said showers are expected to continue throughout the day, with windier conditions expected in Munster later on Tuesday.
A gradual improvement in conditions is expected overnight as the rain and winds brought by Storm Chandra ease, he said.
Dublin Airport has said strong winds are affecting flight operations this morning, warning there could be disruption to flight schedules.
‘Major disruptions’ expected to rail services
“Major disruptions” are expected to Dart and commuter services on Tuesday morning due to reports of flooding at several locations in Dublin, Irish Rail has warned.
Flooding has been reported at several stations including Broombridge, Lansdown, Donabate and Blackrock.
“DART, Commuter & Intercity services can expect significant delays due to flooding at several locations,” Irish Rail said on X.
It warned of delays of up to 20 minutes for Dart, Maynooth, Sligo, and Rosslare services due to flooding and associated speed restrictions.
The Phoenix Park Tunnel has been closed due to flooding, with services from Hazelhatch and Newbridge being diverted into Heuston Station.
In Northern Ireland, an amber wind warning is in place for counties Antrim, Down and Derry as “very strong winds” from Storm Chandra bring “potential for damage and disruption”.
The entirety of the North is also under a yellow wind and rain warning.
The UK Met Office advised the public to expect longer journey times and likely cancellations on road, rail, air and ferry services.
The storm has the potential to damage buildings, with flying roof tiles and other debris posing a danger to life.
It said there is a “good chance that power cuts may occur” which could affect other services such as mobile phone coverage.
Forecasters also warned that some communities could be cut off by flooded roads, with outbreaks of rain spreading across Northern Ireland on Tuesday, potentially even falling as snow for a time on the highest ground.
A status yellow wind warning covering the entire country came into effect at 3am and lasts until 11pm on Tuesday as Storm Chandra hits Ireland.
Met Éireann said winds associated with the storm will be “very strong and gusty”, particularly on coasts and in exposed areas.
These winds could potentially cause fallen trees and loose debris, hazardous travel conditions, and wave overtopping in coastal and river areas.
Meanwhile, a status yellow rain warning has been issued for counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford.
Met Éireann warned that bands of rain associated with Storm Chandra will be heavy and persistent in these counties, with rain falling on already saturated ground.
This could lead to possible localised flooding and river flooding.
