Status Red warning issued for three counties as Storm Isha approaches

Simon Kelly

The forecast warns of “severe and destructive gusts”.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Red wind warning for counties Galway, Mayo and Donegal as Storm Isha is set to batter the country.

The warning is in place for Galway and Mayo from 5pm and is valid until 9pm tonight (Sunday, January 21). The alert for Donegal is valid from 9pm tonight until 1am.

The forecaster said that Storm Isha “will bring extremely strong and gusty southwest winds with severe and destructive gusts, particularly in coastal and exposed areas.”

⚠️Status Red – Wind warning for Galway, Mayo, Donegal

• Dangerous coastal conditions with high waves
• Treacherous travelling conditions
• Risk of significant and widespread power outages

More details here⬇️https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS pic.twitter.com/HS92EYcUs0

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 21, 2024

Status Red warning issued for three counties as Storm Isha approaches

Some risks associated with the Status Red warnings include dangerous coastal conditions with high waves, treacherous travelling conditions, and significant and widespread power outages.

There is also a Status Orange wind warning in place for the rest of the country, which is set to bring large coastal waves with wave overtopping, very difficult travelling conditions, fallen trees and damage to power lines.

The Status Orange warning will take effect for Donegal, Galway and Mayo from 4 pm until 3 am tomorrow.

The same warning will take effect in Leinster, Munster, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo from 5 pm until 2 am.

⚠️🔴 Red Weather Warning – Wind 🔴⚠️
📍 Donegal 📆 Sun 21, 9pm – Mon 22, 1am
📍 Galway, Mayo 📆 Sun 21, 5pm – Sun 21, 9pm
Storm Isha will bring extremely strong and gusty southwest winds with severe and destructive gusts, particularly in coastal and exposed areas. Impacts: pic.twitter.com/fw9YvujWAL

— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) January 21, 2024

Weather expert Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather on X said that the storm “continues to develop and track towards Ireland” and that people “need to heed warnings”.

Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority has advised road users to be aware of possible debris and loose objects becoming displaced during this period of strong winds.

Gardaí are also appealing to road users to be cautious as the Status Orange wind warning comes into effect later this evening.

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