The next few days don't look good for anyone without a raincoat and umbrella.
Monday 17 to Thursday 20 September look like they are going to bring some truly bad weather to Ireland, as Storm Helene winds her way towards us.
While she will have downgraded to a Post Tropical grading by the time of arrival, there will still be enough wind and rain to potentially bring some weather warnings to the majority of the counties.
Midland Weather Channel had the following to say:
"Details are becoming a little more clear about the effects of Post Tropical Storm Helene which will impact Ireland from Monday afternoon until the early hours of Tuesday morning.
"Storm force winds will affect all southern and eastern coastal counties, with gusts up to 130 kph likely in some exposed coastal locations. Winds will reach in excess of 110kph in all Orange warning areas, with winds up to 110kph likely in those areas under a Yellow weather warning.
"The strongest of the winds will arrive on Monday afternoon and evening, with the peak intensity likely to occur around 20:00 along the south coast, before transferring to remaining locations between 21:00 and 02:00 on Tuesday morning.
"Given the strength of the winds, it does look likely that some disruption to ferry services is likely on the Irish Sea, with cancellations of fast ferry sailings likely. Some minor power disruptions are likely also, particularly in the southeast. Any loose objects should be secured over the weekend also, especially garden furniture and summer items."
The Weather Channel predicts that
Waterford, Cork, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath, and
Louth will be on the receiving end of Storm Force Winds with an Orange Weather Warning.
Meanwhile,
Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Cavan, and
Monaghan should be expecting storm gales from a Yellow Weather Warning.
On the other hand,
Met Eireann are slightly more conservative with their outlook on the impact that Helene will have on the county, saying the following:
"Monday will be a cloudy day with widespread rain. The rain will be heavy too with strengthening southerly winds. Present indications are that, ex tropical storm 'Helene' will push northwards over Ireland on Monday night.
"Consequently Monday night will be very disturbed with widespread heavy rain and gales. It may turn stormy in places for a time with severe gusts and localized flooding.
"Winds will ease somewhat, and Tuesday will be cloudy with frequent showers while staying very blustery. It'll stay very unsettled through Wednesday and Thursday also with frequent spells of rain, and a potential for further sizable amounts. Winds predominantly from the southwest will often be strong."
