Ireland put on tornado watch as Storm Isha brings 130km/h winds

Simon Kelly

Multiple flights have been cancelled already on Sunday.

Ireland has been put on tornado watch as Storm Isha approaches the country, bringing with it winds of up to 130km/h.

The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) has issued a tornado watch warning for the whole of Ireland, as well as parts of Scotland, northern England and the Isle of Man.

The powerful Atlantic storm has already led Met Éireann to issue a Status Red wind warning for three counties in Ireland – Galway, Mayo and Donegal.

A Tornado Watch has been issued by @TorroUK for Ireland today with risk of tornadoes embedded in #StormIsha but these are very difficult to forecast and would be localised if they do occur. pic.twitter.com/E9cq70iJE3

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 21, 2024

Ireland put on tornado watch as Storm Isha brings 130km/h winds

According to TORRO, there is a risk of tornadoes, especially across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Hail and lightning strikes are possible too throughout the storm.

In their forecast, TORRO said: “In and close to the watch area, there is the risk of a few tornadoes, and the potent shear means a strong tornado is possible, especially across the RoI and N Ireland.

“Additionally, the very strong low-level flow will be mixed to the surface in stronger cores, bringing the risk of gusts of 70-80mph, and perhaps 90-100mph in a few spots, even inland.

“Any supercell which can develop may produce hail, which could reach severe levels, and a few CG lightning strikes are possible too, especially across the RoI and N Ireland.”

Irish weather expert Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather on X commented on the warning saying that tornadoes are “very difficult to forecast and would be localised if they do occur.”

#StormIsha

A scene has been made safe after a shed was lifted 20 feet into the air over a wall by high winds.

Firefighters from Tara Street fire station were called to the incident off Kevin Street. pic.twitter.com/Pq6I8O22Gc

— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 21, 2024

Almost 60 flights cancelled as Storm Isha wreaks havoc

Ireland has already seen the effects of Storm Isha across the country, as multiple incidents of fallen trees have occurred. In Dublin, firefighters were called to an incident off Kevin Street in the city centre, where a shed was lifted 20 feet into the air by winds.

Almost 60 flights landing into Dublin Airport have been cancelled today, with high winds forcing seven other flights to divert to alternative airports.

#StormIsha is having an impact on flights at @DublinAirport today. As of 12 noon, a total of 56 flights have been cancelled by airlines, including 21 incoming & 35 departing flights. High winds have resulted in 7 go-arounds, with 7 flights diverting to other airports. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/RW2vYNoSyG

— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) January 21, 2024

Speaking to RTÉ’s This Week programme, Met Éireann’s Liz Coleman said that the heaviest part of the storm will be overnight, but advised commuters to take care planning their trips into work on Monday morning.

“We are lucky in some ways that the peak winds of this storm are happening overnight tonight when hopefully people are tucked up in bed and will have cleared through by the morning,” Ms Coleman said.

“But we would say that people take care in the morning planning their journeys because there could be some disruption on the roads and also to public transport.”