Met Éireann has cleared things up.
On Wednesday, Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile called on Met Éireann to include Ireland’s six northern counties in its forecasts and weather warnings.
In a statement, the Sinn Féin Party Spokesperson on North-South Integration said: “While I understand that Met Éireann and the Met Office operate two different standards in relation to weather warnings, I don’t believe these competing approaches should lead to an inability to represent weather situations when/where they occur across Ireland.”
Today, a spokesperson for Met Éireann issued a response, pointing out that those in the north can find weather forecasts on the Met Éireann website by searching the name of their locality.
“Met Éireann has confirmed today that it does forecast for the whole island of Ireland,” the statement said. “Our localised forecasts that are available on the website and app will give a forecast for anywhere in Ireland with a 2.5km resolution. You can enter in different locations (towns/cities) and view the forecast for that area.”
However, it remains the case that the six counties are not included in weather warnings, weather warning graphics, or other online graphics like the rainfall radar.
“The UK Met office issue the warnings for Northern Ireland. In line with best practise, the meteorological agency with jurisdiction solely issues the warnings for that area. Warnings are essential to advise people of forecasted severe weather, help protect life and property and as such need to be issued with a single authoritative voice.”
“Met Éireann are however looking at ways that they could incorporate the warnings issued by the UK Met Office in displays in the future.”
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