MET Eireann has issued a new orange weather warning for three counties as Storm Bert approaches – just hours after bitterly cold conditions gripped the country.
And the national broadcaster said the areas can expect intense rainfall and flooding risks as the vicious storm conditions move in from the Atlantic.
Met Eireann updated storm warnings this afternoon[/caption]
Weather graphs for Saturday evening show rain clouds moving across Ireland[/caption]
The status orange rain warning kicks in for counties Cork, Kerry and Galway at midnight on Saturday, until 10am that morning.
Forecasters said Storm Bert will bring “intense falls of rain over a short period of time.”
And the public have been warned to prepare for surface flooding, possible river flooding and “very difficult” travelling conditions.
In preparation for the storm, Met Eireann issued a weather advisory and a status yellow wind and rain warning for the entire country.
And Carlow Weather’s Alan O’Reilly predicted up to 100mm of rain in some places, with weather warnings “likely to be upgraded”.
The weather advisory began today and will remain in place until midnight Tuesday, while the yellow wind and rain warning is in place from 10pm Friday night until 12 noon Saturday.
Met Eireann said Storm Bert will displace the recent Arctic airmass that saw temperatures plummet to -4C this week and a nationwide ice and low temperature warning.
The broadcaster said: “This weekend, Storm Bert will move close to Ireland, displacing the recent cold Arctic airmass.
“Very strong winds and heavy rain will track northeastwards over the country on Friday night with warnings already in places.
“Storm Bert will continue to dominate our weather through the weekend and into early next week and further warnings will be issued for this event.”
Storm Bert is a low-pressure system currently forming in the Atlantic.
Forecasters said when it moves closer to Ireland it will displace the current cold Arctic air introducing very strong winds and heavy rain.
Met Eireann said most of Storm Bert’s impacts will be felt over the weekend, but there will be some potential impacts into early next week.
This morning, thousands of people across the country woke up to a blanket of white snow in their front garden as bitterly cold temperatures gripped the nation.
And the freeze won’t ease just yet, with the status yellow low temperature/ice warning for the entire country to remain in place until 12 noon Friday.
Met Eireann said: “Very cold with widespread frost, icy stretches and lying snow persisting today, tonight and tomorrow.”
