Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange rain warning for Donegal, Galway, and Mayo overnight, bringing heavy downpours, potential thunderstorms, and a strong likelihood of property and transport disruption.
Overnight Orange Alert Hits Western Counties
Weather conditions across Ireland are deteriorating rapidly as a wet and breezy spell takes hold. Met Éireann issued a Status Orange rain warning specifically for Donegal, Galway, and Mayo, cautioning residents that damage to homes and businesses likely will accompany the severe weather.
The orange alert takes effect at 1am and remains in place until 7am. At 1am, this yellow alert will transition into an orange warning for Donegal, Galway and Mayo. Forecasters warn that the period will bring very heavy and persistent rain, alongside the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning damage. Commuters and travelers should expect disruptions and delays to public transport, compounded by very difficult travelling conditions on regional routes.
Status Yellow Warnings Span Seven Counties
Ahead of the overnight escalation, a broader set of yellow alerts covers a larger swathe of the country. A Status Yellow rain warning came into effect at 9pm tonight for Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo, running until 9am tomorrow morning. Localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions and lightning damage are some of the possible impacts of the warning, Met Éireann has warned.
A separate rain warning will come into effect for Cork and Kerry tomorrow morning. The Status Yellow alert will come into effect at 9am and remain in place until 9pm tomorrow night. These counties will see a spell of persistent rain, turning heavy at times. Potential impacts include localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions and outdoor events impacted.
Rainfall Totals and Regional Weather Patterns
Generally, a wetter-than-average spell is on the way, with rain and showers set to dominate the weather over the coming days, at times turning heavy. Latest forecasts suggest there will be some drier breaks, but rainfall totals are expected to run well above normal across much of the country.
The north-west looks set to see the wettest conditions, with up to 250% of average rainfall currently forecast. In contrast, the far south and south-east should be the driest areas, with rainfall closer to or below normal levels.
Temperatures today will be in the region of 15° to 20°. Cloud will thicken near western Atlantic coasts later in the evening and there will be outbreaks of rain and drizzle. By nightfall the rain will turn heavier, particularly across the west and north, and winds will increase to moderate to fresh and gusty, stronger near coasts. Lowest temperatures overnight will be between 10° to 15°.
Tomorrow will start off wet and breezy but the rain will clear south-wards throughout the morning and potentially linger longer in the south for much of the day. Further north, drier conditions will develop with scattered showers and possibly some brighter spells following the clearance of the rain. Highest temperatures will be 16° to 21°, with moderate to fresh south-westerly winds easing with the clearance of the rain. Sunday (September 13) is likely to stay dry for most of the day with just a few light showers.
