Storm Bella has officially been named by the Met Office UK as strong winds and heavy rain are forecast from 26 December St. Stephens day

After a relativity calm and cold day on Christmas Day, conditions across Ireland and the UK it will turn increasingly unsettled through Saturday 26 December and into the 27th December with strengthening winds and heavy rain moving in from the north.

No weather warnings have yet been issued by Met Eireann for this weekend but will be issued in the coming 24 hours ahead to the arrival of Storm Bella. In the UK the Met Office UK have already issued a number of warnings.

An Amber national severe weather warning has been issued for parts of south Wales and across southern England, with gusts expected to reach up to 60-70mph in exposed coastal locations.

A Yellow warning for wind for the whole of England and Wales as well as the far south of Scotland has also been issued and will be in force from 15:00 on 26 December to 12:00 on 27 December.

The strong south-westerly winds will develop across parts of northern England and the far south of Scotland on Saturday afternoon, before transferring south-eastwards across the rest of England and Wales into Sunday morning, clearing by early Sunday afternoon.

Inland gusts of 50-60 mph are likely, with the potential for 60-70 mph in some locations. Hills and coasts exposed to the south-westerly winds could see gusts of 70-80 mph.

In addition to the strong winds, a period of heavy, squally rain will affect western and southern areas. A Yellow warning for rain has been issued for parts of Scotland, Wales and much of north and south west England, particularly where there has already been flooding from recent heavy rain. Combined with strong winds, the rain will lead to some hazardous travelling conditions.

WEATHER WARNINGS FOR IRELAND

A status Orange wind warning is also likely to be issued for parts of the northwest, west, southwest and south from Saturday afternoon into the early hours of Sunday morning with Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kerry, Cork & Waterford at the highest risk of severe and damaging wind gusts of between 100km/hr to 130km/hr, winds westerly in direction. A early yellow warning is likely to be issued first for these areas and followed by a orange warning on Christmas day issued for St. Stephens day.

A yellow nationwide wind warning also likely to be issued for wind gusting up to 110km/hr.

Along with the risk of strong winds there will be a additional hazard of heavy rainfall which will move into the north of Ireland on Saturday afternoon moving southwards quickly and clearing northern areas early Saturday night but in this time frame some parts especially the north, west and south could see up to 30mm of rain leading to flooding. Rainfall warnings likely also to be issued.

With the combination of strong winds, high waves and forecasted storm surge, there is a risk of coastal flooding

SNOW, COLD AND ICE RISK

As storm Bella moves through Saturday and Sunday colder Arctic air will move into north of Ireland on Saturday night and with strong winds and colder air this will lead to a very cold Windchill factor. As the main band of rain clears the northern half of Ireland early Saturday night showers will turn wintry with falls of Hail, Sleet and Snow.

On Sunday it will turn colder across the whole of Ireland as that colder air moves in from the north with showers of hail, sleet and snow at times or longer band of hail sleet and snow giving accumulations in places.

The Ulster, Connacht and west Munster are at the highest risk of snow accumulations with the highest risk across higher ground areas but some low levels also see small coverings.

Further heavy wintry falls of rain, hail, sleet and snow will occur again on Monday with a longer spells and a band of sleet and snow moving west to east across Ireland giving very slippery conditions in parts.

Snow and ice warnings are also likely over the weekend and early next week

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