Storm Ellen: Status orange alert issued as Ireland faces ‘severe’ winds

The miserable weather is set to continue for those holidaying at home, with more heavy rain expected every day this week up until the weekend, and Storm Ellen set to hit the country from Wednesday.

Ahead of the arrival of Storm Ellen, a status orange wind warning has been issued for counties Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford. The warning is valid from 9pm on Wednesday until midday on Thursday.

A status yellow wind warning has also been issued for the entire country from Wednesday night. The warning is valid from 9pm on Wednesday through all of Thursday.

Met Éireann said Storm Ellen will hit Ireland on Wednesday night and during Thursday, "bringing a period of severe and potentially damaging winds.

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“Associated heavy rain will also bring a risk of flooding.”

The forecaster added that severe gusts are likely during this period and there is the risk of coastal flooding as the winds combine with storm surges and spring tides.

The UK Met Office has issued a status yellow wind warning for Northern Ireland for roughly the same period as the State’s yellow warning.

Further weather warnings for heavy rain are likely over the coming days.

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is anticipating more than 100mm of rain over the coming days in parts of the west, midwest and south of the country.

Parts of west Cork which have already been badly affected by flooding are expected to experience more heavy rain in the coming days.

A yellow weather warning for rain was in operation from 7am on Monday to 7am on Tuesday.

Blustery conditions

Thursday and Friday could see both rain and wind warnings, with heavy rain and blustery conditions. Near gale-force winds that are forecast for the period along exposed coasts could bring down trees in coastal areas as they are in full leaf.

It looks like the cool, blustery and unsettled conditions will continue into the early days of next week.

Met Éireann has issued an advisory for unseasonably wet and windy weather for the week.

It states that windy weather on Thursday and Friday may result in unsafe conditions on high ground, lakes and sea areas.

Weather advisories may be issued by Met Éireann to provide early information on potential hazardous weather beyond 48 hours.