Storm Babet set to hit Ireland as several weather warnings issued

Stephen Porzio

Update: 1pm, 17 October

Three counties have even been assigned a Status Orange warning.

Several weather warnings have been issued for Ireland as Storm Babet is set to bring “heavy rain”.

Met Éireann has said that this heavy rainfall is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially across southern parts of the country, ahead of the storm.

Storm Babet is coming to Ireland from Portugal and was named by the UK Met Office on Monday morning (16 October), with Met Éireann meteorologist Brandon Creagh stating the following about it:

“A series of warm fronts, ahead of a low-pressure system, are approaching the country, bringing heavy and persistent rain to the south of the country, and extending northwards through Tuesday into Wednesday with localised flooding likely.

“Along with the rain, southeasterly winds will strengthen, reaching gale force along southern and eastern coasts, bringing the possibility of wave overtopping at high tide on Tuesday evening. Driving conditions will be difficult due to the combined effects of heavy rain, strong winds and poor visibility.”

According to the Irish meteorological service, the rain will begin in southern parts of Ireland in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and gradually spread countrywide, with very little let up in the south for the entire day.

Heavy rain is expected on Tuesday & Wednesday in places, especially across southern parts, ahead of #StormBabet ⚠️☔️

For more details about this unsettled weather, check out our meteorologist commentary ?https://t.co/ktXtWjbfIg

Weather Warnings ?https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS pic.twitter.com/qfKqOao1HQ

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 16, 2023

In a statement on Monday night about Storm Babet, Weather Alerts Ireland said: “The south and west are set to get the worst of the rain with some parts seeing over 70mm of rain in 24 hours and locally some spots could see higher (especially on higher ground).

“By the end of the weekend amounts of 120 or more mm is possible… Localised flooding possible so please take care.”

In a follow-up post on Tuesday morning, Weather Alerts Ireland noted: “The rain has pushed into the south west now.”

Also in regards to Storm Babet, Carlow Weather wrote on Tuesday morning: “The rain has arrived in the south west and a huge amount of rain is expected to fall over the next 36 hours down south.

“Models showing over 60mm in 24 hours with upwards of 75mm possible in 36 hours. Those in areas prone to flooding in the south need to be on alert.”

The rain has arrived in the Southwest and a huge amount of rain is expected to fall over the next 36 hours down South. Models showing over 60mm in 24 hours with upwards of 75mm possible in 36 hours. Those in areas prone to flooding in the South need to be on alert. pic.twitter.com/JYDfm4nMsj

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) October 17, 2023

Storm Babet set to hit Ireland as several weather warnings issued

Coinciding with these storm reports are several weather warnings from Met Éireann and the UK Met Office.

The Irish meteorological service has issued a Status Orange rain warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford that is currently in effect and is scheduled to be valid until 1pm on Wednesday.

“Heavy rain. Strong and gusty east to southeast winds at times,” it reads.

“Impacts: Flooding, poor visibility, dangerous road conditions, possible wave overtopping at high tide.”

⚠️ UPDATE ⚠️#Kerry has been added to the orange rainfall warning

☔️ Localised Flooding
? Poor visibility
? Difficult driving conditions
? Possible wave overtopping at high tide

⏲️Valid: 06:00 Tuesday 17/10 – 06:00 Wednesday 18/10

More here ?https://t.co/Xg3aMJm6kq pic.twitter.com/niOLePerKP

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 16, 2023

As well as this, two Status Yellow rain warnings have been published by Met Éireann.

Both are currently in effect, with the first applying to the province of Leinster, as well as the counties of Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan.

It is set to be valid until 8pm on Wednesday.

The second is for the province of Connacht and the counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary and is scheduled to remain in place until Wednesday at 6pm.

“Spells of rain will be heavy at times. Strong and gusty east to southeast winds at times,” both warnings read.

“Possible Impacts: localised flooding, reduced visibility, dangerous road conditions.”

⚠️Yellow Rainfall Warning⚠️

Affected Regions: Clare, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary & Wexford

⏲️06:00 Tue 17th Oct until 06:00 Wed 18th Oct

Affected Regions: Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon & Sligo

⏲️12:00 Tue 17th Tue until 12:00 Wed 18th Octhttps://t.co/y935BNlwYb pic.twitter.com/94P2uaJ3Mg

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 16, 2023

On top of these, the UK Met Office has issued a Status Yellow rain warning for all of Northern Ireland from 2pm on Wednesday to 10am on Thursday.

“Storm Babet will bring some heavy rain to Northern Ireland from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday morning, with possible disruption,” it states.