SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LOOK SET TO EFFECT PARTS OF IRELAND THIS FRIDAY
Lightning photographed over Donegal, Ireland by the talented Noel Keating Photography
With warm and very humid air sitting across Ireland at the moment this is set to bring unsettled conditions across Ireland again this Friday with the risk of a few severe thunderstorms developing in parts which could lead to spot and flash flooding along with frequent lightning strikes leading to power cuts and surges to propertys.
Worst affected areas at the moment look like it will be mid and west Ulster, possible northeast connacht, and west Munster. These areas are where I expect some of the most severe thunderstorms and heaviest rainfall rates to occur and cause problems. If you are in Tyrone, Derry, Donegal & Fermanagh keep eyes on the sky tomorrow as these county's look set to get the worst of the weather .
Elsewhere across Ireland further isolated thunderstorms may also develop and could become severe for a time over the day. I will be keeping a eye on this tomorrow with updates running all day on where and when will see thunderstorm over the day.
Theses are the same sort of conditions which brought severe flooding to parts of Ulster and Leinster last Friday so prepare if you are in a flood prone area just incase.
Continues below
Below shows the latest precipitation charts from the AROME high resolution model showing where the the heaviest falls of rainfall will be.
precipitation chart for 12pm Friday with heavy thundery showers beginning to develop
precipitation chart for 2pm Friday with heavy thundery showers now devloping into severe thunderstorms
precipitation chart for 4pm Friday with heavy thundery showers now developing into severe thunderstorms
precipitation chart for 5pm Friday with heavy thundery showers now developing into severe thunderstorms
precipitation chart for 6pm Friday with heavy thundery showers really getting going
Rainfall amounts in some parts will generally be between 20mm to 35mm with some areas possibly at risk to seen up to 50mm to 70mm in only a very short period of time leading to Flash and spot flooding. Note that some areas may see no activity over the day at all around Ireland and will remain rain free over the day with dry conditions.
Tips on lightning and flooding if you get caught out
If you manage to get stuck in the middle of a thunderstorm or even flash flooding here are a number of tips to help you out
Lightning
Lightning is a leading cause of injury and death from weather-related hazards. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms. Thunderstorms are dangerous storms that include lightning and can.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
Move from outdoors into a building or car.
Pay attention to alerts and warnings.
Do not use landline phones.
- Protect your property. Unplug appliances and other electric devices. Secure outside furniture.
- If boating or swimming, get to land and find a sturdy, grounded shelter or vehicle immediately.
- Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately.
Flooding
Failing to evacuate flooded areas, entering flood waters, or remaining after a flood has passed can result in injury or death. Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry.
- Avoid flooded roadways. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
- Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.
Evacuate if told to do so.
- Depending on where you are, and the impact and the warning time of flooding, go to the safe location that you previously identified.
- If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
- If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, then stay inside. If water is rising inside the vehicle, then seek refuge on the roof.
- If trapped in a building, then go to its highest level. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising floodwater. Go on the roof only if necessary. Once there, signal for help.
- Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock.