Another weather warning, you say?
Met Éireann’s unique approach to Valentine’s Day continues with the announcement of yet another weather warning – this time for the entirety of Ireland.
Two different storms – Dudley and Eunice, respectively – are set to hit the country this week, with Status Orange and Status Yellow warnings already flagged by the national forecaster.
Storm Dudley is due on Wednesday, while the potentially snowier Storm Eunice will make its presence felt on Friday.
Why not throw another warning into mix, while we’re at it?
Issued on Monday evening, a Status Yellow warning is now locked in for Wednesday (16 February), with all of Ireland affected.
According to Met Éireann, westerly winds associated with Storm Dudley will reach mean speeds of 50 – 65 kilometres per hour, with damaging gusts of 80 – 110 kilometres per hour anticipated on exposed coasts and high ground.
A combination of high tide and strong winds will lead to flooding on exposed coasts.
This warning is valid from noon on Wednesday and remain in place for 24 hours.
Met Éireann has encouraged the public to pay close attention to the forecast as the week progresses, with additional warnings likely to be announced.
“It’s been a fairly quiet year so far but that’s all going to change this week as an active jet stream steers several low-pressure systems across Ireland and the UK,” said Met Éireann meteorologist Emer Flood on Monday.
“On Wednesday Storm Dudley will bring strong winds to mainly northern and western areas, these strong winds in combination with high tides will lead to large coastal waves and some coastal flooding.
“As Storm Dudley clears eastwards on Thursday morning winds will ease for a time, before picking up again on Friday morning as Storm Eunice approaches,” Flood continued.
“We’re keeping a close eye on this storm as there is the potential for more widespread strong winds across Ireland which may lead to some disruption and damage.”
It's turning very unsettled this week with two named storms on the way.
On Wednesday #StormDudley will bring strong winds to mainly northern & western areas
On Friday #StormEunice will bring more widespread strong winds, along with spells of heavy rain & possibly snow
⚠️⚠️⚠️ pic.twitter.com/VSUVAPYtGZ
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 14, 2022
As for those aforementioned Status Orange and Status Yellow warnings, they are as follows:
A Status Yellow Wind warning has been issued for Clare, Donegal, Galway, and Mayo from 12pm on Wednesday (16 February) to 12pm on Thursday (17 February).
A combination of high tide and strong winds will lead to some coastal flooding.
The Status Yellow will be escalated to a Status Orange wind warning for Donegal between 9pm on Wednesday until 9am on Thursday.
Westerly winds associated with Storm Dudley will reach mean speeds of 65-80km/h with damaging gusts of 100–130km/h, stronger on exposed coasts and on high ground.
The UK Met Office has also issued warnings across the six counties, with Status Yellow Wind warnings in place across Antrim, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Down and Derry.
The Status will increase to Amber in Derry and Antrim from 6pm on Wednesday until 9am on Thursday.
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