Storm Bert to hit Ireland this weekend with strong winds and heavy rain forecast
Storm Bert is forecast to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Ireland this weekend as the cold snap comes to an abrupt end.
The second named storm of the season could bring wind gusts of up to 110km/h in some areas.
Met Éireann has issued a weather advisory for Ireland ahead of the storm, together with a nationwide yellow wind and rain warning for Friday night into Saturday.
The national weather agency said further warnings will follow as the track of the storm becomes clearer.
Storm Bert has been named by Met Éireann. ⚠️
Becoming very wet and windy on Friday night, with further spells of strong winds and heavy rain over the weekend.
Stay up to date on https://t.co/dz6JbE5FIb #StormBert #MetÉireann pic.twitter.com/daVQZ1jo2v— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 21, 2024
Storm Bert is a low-pressure system that will displace the cold Arctic air that brought snow and ice to many parts of the country on Thursday, and instead introduce very strong winds and heavy rain.
Met Éireann said potential impacts considered at the moment are localised flooding, dangerous travelling conditions, displaced objects, fallen trees.
The main impacts are expected on Saturday and Sunday, but there is the potential for lasting impacts into early next week.
Met Éireann meteorologist Andrew Doran-Sherlock said: "Storm Bert will bring milder but very wet and windy conditions for the weekend.
"Heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday will likely lead to localised flooding in urban areas and some river catchments, particularly in the west and southwest, as this rain is falling on already saturated and waterlogged ground.
"We are monitoring the situation closely and will upgrade/issue warnings as Met Éireann’s high resolution model (which provides information 2-days ahead) is analysed.
"There’s strong likelihood of status orange wind warnings in western and northwestern counties. The impacts from Storm Bert will commence later on Friday and will continue through the weekend and potentially through early next week as well."
