Met Éireann has issued several weather warnings ahead of the arrival of Storm Barra.
Firstly, the national forecaster is placing Co Kerry and Co Cork under a status red wind warning.
The warning will come into effect at 6 am tomorrow (Tuesday, December 7th) and remain in place until 9 pm.
It warned that southwesterly winds later veering northwesterly that will reach mean speeds in excess of 80 km/h with severe or damaging gusts in excess of 130km/h.
“Due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected. Disruption to power and travel are likely.”
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has advised road users in these counties to avoid any travel during the storm window.
Orange wind warnings
Met Eireann has issued a status orange wind warning for Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Mayo, Waterford, and Wexford. This will be effective from 6 am tomorrow until 6 pm.
“South-easterly winds, later veering north-westerly will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with severe or damaging gusts of 100 to 130 km/h, with localised stronger winds likely, with severe gusts on coasts.”
“Due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected,” it said.
The RSA advises those in the areas above to consider postponing their journey until the storm has passed.
Meanwhile, a status orange warning will come into effect in Dublin, Louth, Wicklow, and East Meath at 8 am tomorrow and is effective until 1 pm.
The national forecaster has placed the entire country until a status yellow wind and rain warning.
Storm Barra will bring widespread mean speeds of 50 to 65 km/h and gusts of 90 to 110 km/h with localised stronger winds likely
Heavy rain will also bring risks of surface flooding. Due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected.
Travel advice
In a statement this afternoon (Monday, December 6th, 2021), a spokesperson for the RSA, said:
“Nationally, all road users are being advised to be aware of the dangers once the storm has passed.”
“When the extreme weather passes, road users will still have to contend with potentially hazardous road conditions such as flooded roads and downed pylons, lines, trees, branches, and other debris which could block roads.”
“Obey any road closures or diversions put in place by Local Authorities and An Garda Síochána,” the spokesperson concluded.
