Heavy rain and flooding expected with four warnings in place

Orange alert in force for southeast with strong winds forecast across country

Three wind and rainfall warnings have been issued this weekend. File photograph: Nic Bothma/EPA
Three wind and rainfall warnings have been issued this weekend. File photograph: Nic Bothma/EPA

Four weather warnings were in force on Sunday evening for heavy rain, possible flooding and powerful winds due to hit parts of the country.

Met Éireann issued a status orange rainfall alert for Co Cork and Co Waterford on Saturday evening which will remain in place until 6pm on Monday.

A status yellow alert was issued for Connacht and counties Kilkenny, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary with spot flooding and hazardous driving conditions anticipated in many areas.

A rainfall map from 9am on Sunday showing a heavy band of rain passing over the country.
A rainfall map from 9am on Sunday showing a heavy band of rain passing over the country.

Met Éireann forecaster Gerry Murphy said the rain would ease for a period on Sunday afternoon before heavy showers affected Munster and parts of southern Leinster later on.

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An orange alert means conditions could have a significant impact on people and they should be prepared for them.

AA Roadwatch urged motorists to slow down and leave extra room between vehicles with flooding and excess surface water expected over the weekend.

Met Éireann said the south coast and mountainous areas would get the most rain.

Winds of between 50km/h and 65km/h are expected along the west coast. A status yellow wind warning will be in place until 7pm on Monday in counties Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Cork and Kerry. Gusts of between 90km/h and 110km/h are forecast.

A status yellow wind warning has also been issued for much of the rest of the country with gusts of up to 100 km/h expected. That alert will remain in place until 5pm on Monday.

Met Éireann also put out a gale warning for their sea forecast, saying southeast winds will reach gale force on Sunday on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish sea.