Severe Weather Alerts Issued Across Ireland and UK as Storms Threaten Flooding
Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom are bracing for significant rainfall and potential disruption as status orange and amber weather alerts are in effect. Authorities are warning of widespread flooding, hazardous travel conditions, and possible lightning damage.
Ireland Under Orange and Yellow Warnings
A status orange rain and thunderstorm warning is currently in place for counties Dublin, Louth, Meath, and Wicklow, remaining active until 2 p.m. on Monday. Met Éireann, the Irish meteorological service, is forecasting “persistent and heavy rain, with a chance of thunderstorms.” Potential impacts include widespread surface flooding, difficult travelling conditions, lightning damage, and very poor visibility.
Additionally, a status yellow warning covers counties Kildare and Monaghan until 2 p.m. on Monday, anticipating spells of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms, with the possibility of localized flooding and reduced visibility. According to Met Éireann, the eastern parts of the country will see the rain ease and become patchy later in the afternoon, with temperatures reaching 15 to 20 degrees Celsius.
Northern Ireland Faces Amber and Yellow Alerts
Across the Irish Sea, a similar situation is unfolding. A UK Met Office amber alert came into force at 11 p.m. on Sunday for counties Antrim, Armagh, and Down, and will remain in effect until 8 a.m. on Monday. The alert warns of “very heavy rainfall” and the potential for flooding. These same three counties are also under a yellow rain alert until 6 p.m. on Monday.
Travel Disruption Reported
On Sunday night, flooding already began to impact travel routes in Fermanagh. Authorities reported that the Marble Arch Road, Florencecourt, and Sligo Road in Enniskillen were impassable. A PSNI spokeswoman urged motorists to “take care when travelling, slow down, and exercise caution on affected roads.”
Looking Ahead: A Mixed Forecast
While the immediate concern is the heavy rainfall, the forecast suggests a gradual improvement. Tonight, lingering rain in the northeast is expected to clear, giving way to clear spells and isolated showers, with overnight temperatures ranging from 11 to 14 degrees Celsius.
Tuesday morning is predicted to be largely dry with bright spells and isolated showers, though more frequent showers are expected to spread from the west later in the day, with high temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees Celsius. Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to be drier, with only isolated showers. However, outbreaks of rain and drizzle are expected to develop on western and southwestern fringes later on Thursday, when temperatures could reach 18 to 22 degrees Celsius.
Friday will begin cloudy with scattered showers, but sunny spells are anticipated to develop later, with temperatures rising to 20 degrees Celsius. The weekend outlook is more promising, with “plenty of dry weather” and sunny spells on Saturday, although a chance of more persistent rain looms on Sunday.
