AS Storm Bert brews, weather experts have warned it will bring “two different impacts”across the country.
Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather warned there’s a “very wet and windy night and morning” ahead with a risk of flooding in south and west.
The weather expert said: “On the latest radar that the rain is starting to move into the southwest already, and so that is heavy rain starting to move in. It won’t be that heavy starting off. It is still quite cool.”
Storm Bert is “still developing and still deepening” as it goes through tonight.
O’Reilly said: “Warmer air is moving up, but as that rain meets the colder air.
“It will fall as snow for a time, especially on higher ground, and especially in parts of the north.
“So it will be snow turning to rain, but it will be heavy snow for a time.”
Met Eireann has issued a status yellow snow-ice and rain alert for Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Cavan and Monaghan in place tonight until tomorrow noon.
A status yellow snow-ice, rain and wind warning is in place tonight for Donegal until tomorrow noon.
A status red rain warning has been issued for Galway and Cork from midnight until 10am tomorrow.
An orange rain alert is in place from midnight until 10am tomorrow for Waterford, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim.
While a status yellow wind warning has been for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow from 5pm tomorrow until 2am Sunday.
As Storm Bert brews, temperatures will become milder.
O’Reilly said: “We are going to see two different impacts from it, rainfall and wind, and then more wind.
“So if we look here at the upper air temperature, you can see the milder air does come true.
“Now it’s not very mild air, but it is much milder than what it has been there.
“And that is going to bring a big rise in temperatures back up to 13C or 14C.
“We won’t feel it with the wind and the rain, but it is going to get milder.”
Met Éireann Weather Warning
Possible impacts:
Severe flooding
Possible river flooding
Very difficult travelling conditions
Poor visibility
Debris, loose objects displaced
Damage to homes & businesses
Dangerous/treacherous travelling conditions
Voters on Friday may face more rain and showers.
He continued: “As the low pulls away then into Monday, you can see some cooler air, not as cold, but some cooler air for the start of next week.
“But it will probably turn milder again then in time for polling day on the 29th.
“A bit of uncertainty around Friday yet. There could be some rain, risk of some showers, but uncertain yet.”
The weather pro said over 80 millimeters of rain could fall in Galway, West Cork and Kerry and the mountains.
O’Reilly said: “The biggest issue with Storm Bert is definitely rainfall.
“So 24 hour period, the purples here means it’s very likely to happen.
“So if we look here, the whole country is going to see more than 20 millimeters.
“Most of the country is going to see more than 30 millimeters, many parts more than 40 and even more than 50 – you can see there, especially in the southwest and the west, but even over some of the mountains.”