New weather warnings have been announced for parts of Ireland, as the island deals with two named storms in quick succession. Impacts are expected to include flooding, difficult travelling conditions and possible power outages.
Around 3,000 homes, farms and businesses in the worst-affected areas of the Republic of Ireland were without electricity on Friday morning as a result of strong wind and rain from Storm Austen. ESB Networks said on Friday morning that crews have been deployed in all areas impacted by the power outages.
Storm Boelo warnings issued
Forecasting agencies have also issued warnings for Storm Boelo, with the northern part of the island and the west coast forecast to be most affected by that separate weather front. All warnings for Ireland associated with Austen – predominantly affecting Munster and Leinster – lifted at 10am.
However, the Republic of Ireland’s weather agency Met Éireann issued five other warnings of varying severity affecting 10 counties along the west coast. Meanwhile, the UK Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning for Northern Ireland from 6pm on Saturday to 3pm on Sunday.
Warning details and timing
Met Éireann advised that Boelo brings an Orange-level wind warning for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo between 2pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday. A different Orange-level warning for rain applies to Kerry between 7am on Saturday and 2pm on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a Yellow-level warning for all those counties as well as Clare, Cork, Galway, Leitrim, and Limerick will apply between 4am on Saturday and 3pm on Saturday. All five counties in Connacht as well as Clare, Kerry and Limerick will also be under a Yellow warning for wind between 1pm on Saturday and midday on Sunday. A separate Yellow wind warning will apply to Donegal between 1pm on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday.
Expected gusts and impact
The Met Office warned of 50 to 60mph gusts in Northern Ireland due to Boelo, with winds up to 65 to 75mph in exposed areas.
