Status yellow rain warning issued for Cork ahead of Storm Ashley 

With Storm Ashley set to hit Irish shores on Sunday, Met Éireann has issued a status yellow rain warning for Cork, with the potential of strong and gusty south to southwest winds, coupled with high spring tides, and heavy rainfall for a time.

According to the national weather forecaster potential impacts in Cork include disruptive travel conditions and spot flooding.

The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) has advised the public to stay away from coastal areas tomorrow as Storm Ashley approaches.

The warning follows a meeting held on Saturday morning between the NDFEM, Met Éireann and various other stakeholders to review updates in relation to the current weather warnings in place for the storm.

The status yellow rain warning, impacting Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Kerry and Waterford, will come into effect from midnight tonight (Saturday) until 9am tomorrow.

A subsequent status yellow wind warning has been issued for the entire county, which will stay in place from midnight tonight until 3am on Monday morning.

Possible impacts

Possible impacts from the status yellow wind warning include coastal flooding, large coastal waves, some fallen trees and branches, difficult travelling conditions, debris, and the displacement of loose objects.

A status orange wind warning has also been issued for Clare, Donegal, Galway and Mayo, which will be in place from noon tomorrow until 9pm.

Keith Leonard, NDFEM national director, said: “Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams are continuing to monitor conditions locally.

“With potential for tidal flooding in coastal areas, especially in southern and western counties, surface flooding in urban locations is also possible and local authorities have their emergency response teams in place, ready to respond where and when necessary.

“The public also have their own part to play. I would absolutely urge everyone to stay away from all coastal areas during this period and to heed the advice from the Irish Coast Guard to ‘Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry’.

Damaging gusts

“As dangerous travelling conditions are also possible, road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees and flying debris.” Liz Walsh, meteorologist with Met Éirean, said: “Storm Ashley will bring strong southerly winds overnight on Saturday night and early Sunday with a second wave of even stronger south-westerly winds, accompanied by damaging gusts across the country, from mid-morning on Sunday, right though the afternoon and into the evening in some parts.

“We are currently in a period of exceptionally high spring tides, and this, tied in with the strong winds and high waves, will substantially increase the risk of coastal flooding, especially along Atlantic coasts.” 

 For ongoing weather conditions updates on Storm Ashley, visit: https://www.met.ie/warnings-tomorrow.html.