UPDATE - Storm Barra to bring damaging winds, snow, rain and coastal flooding
Storm Barra which has been showing on the forecasting model over the last number of day has been named today by Met Eireann due to the risk the storm brings. Storm Barra will pass over Ireland bringing a risk of just about anything depending on where you are living. The main risk with storm Barra on Tuesday into Wednesday will be the winds it will bring with strong winds expected across the island of Ireland.
An orange level wind warning has been issued for Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare and Galway valid from 6am Tuesday to 6am Wednesday, while a yellow level wind warning is in places for all other counties for the same time period.
Met Eireann have said that “These warnings are likely to be updated and fine-tuned as we come closer to the event as the track of the storm becomes more certain.”
Storm Barra named by Met Eireann
AREAS TO SEE THE STRONGEST WINDS
Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare and Galway at present look set to see the strongest wind with gust of up to 130km/hr possible with some stronger gust also even possible in these areas. There is a risk depending on the model runs on Monday that a Red Warning could also be issued for a time.
Areas like Mayo and Waterford could also be upgraded to a orange warning on Monday. If models show the storm tracking further north on Monday we could also see the like of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal added to a Orange warning but based on model of the model runs today will remain under that Status Yellow warning for wind.
The most likly counties to be upgrade if any on Monday if there is no changes to the track of this storm would be Kerry and possibly parts of Clare.
Southerly winds, later becoming to northwesterly
Much of the country set to see very strong winds over Tuesday and Wednesday.
COASTAL FLOODING
Another issue will be the risk of coastal flooding and a large storm surge especially with such a deep low set to move across the country. The deeper the center of the low the higher the wave and surge. And also one to note is the tighter the isobars are the strong the winds will be in as can be seen below
Colder air sinks southwards over Ireland on Friday afternoon and evening with showers turning wintry
Very large seas and waves are also expected with some wave reaching the height of 12 or over for a time on Tuesday
Significant wave height forecast for Tuesday into Wednesday
RAIN FORECAST & THUNDERSTORM RISK
Heavy rainfall is also expected Tuesday into Wednesday which will also be associated with storm Barra. Heaviest rainfall and showers will be across the southwest, west and northwest with up to 30mm to 40mm Possibly in some areas there with some spot flooding. Strong winds and heavy showers will make for very dangerous conditions on the road network so take care
SNOW FALL RISK
On Tuesday morning there will also be the risk of snowfall across parts of the west and northwest with accumulations also possible in places especially through the counties of Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim but not all areas at risk. Temperatures on Tuesday morning will be as low as 0C in some areas with that band of rain turning to sleet and snow for a time in the morning but later in the morning and over the afternoon it will turn back to rain again as milder air moves in behind and winds continue to increase.
See snowfall risk charts below
OVERALL STORM RISKS
Strong winds for all areas
Severe winds and damaging gusts along southwestern and western coastal counites and possibly along the northwest and southern coastal counites also.
Heavy squally showers leading to hazardous driving conditions
Snowfall in some parts of the west and northwest especially across Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim were this risk looks highest. Hazardous driving conditions
Storm surge will lead to wave overtopping and a significant possibility of coastal flooding
Disruption to power and travel are likely. Check air, sea, rail and bus information before traveling.
Some trees down
Structural damage (Secure outdoor furniture and Christmas decorations!)
Warnings will be updated on Monday with the risk of further warnings been issued and other areas been included under that Orange wind warning.
A Red winds warning is possible with a Red Marine warning also highly likely to be issued on Monday
LATEST WEATHER WARNIGS
Status Orange - Wind warning for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway
Met Éireann Weather Warning
On Tuesday and Tuesday night, due to Storm Barra, southerly winds, later becoming to northwesterly, will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/hr with severe or damaging gusts of up to 130 Km/ hr, possibly higher in coastal areas. Disruption to power and travel are likely.
High waves, high tides, heavy rain and storm surge will lead to wave overtopping and a significant possibility of coastal flooding
Updates to follow
Valid: 06:00 Tuesday 07/12/2021 to 06:00 Wednesday 08/12/2021
Issued: 16:49 Sunday 05/12/2021
Status Yellow - Wind warning for Leinster, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford
Met Éireann Weather Warning
Through Tuesday and for a time on Wednesday, an Atlantic depression named Storm Barra will bring very strong winds and spells of heavy rain across Ireland. Winds will be strongest in western coastal counties with severe or damaging gusts possible.
Heavy rain will bring localised flooding. There will also be high waves at sea and a significant possibility of coastal flooding on south and west coasts.
Updates to follow.
Valid: 06:00 Tuesday 07/12/2021 to 06:00 Wednesday 08/12/2021
Issued: 16:49 Sunday 05/12/2021
Yellow - Wind Warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry
UK Met Office Weather Warning
A deep area of low pressure moving in across the UK from the Atlantic is likely to bring high winds to many parts of the UK. Strong winds arriving into the west through the morning, spreading inland and reaching eastern areas through the afternoon and early evening. Gusts of 45-50 mph are expected widely, with 60-70 mph in exposed coastal locations. Strongest winds will ease across inland areas into the overnight period.
Valid: 09:00 Tuesday 07/12/2021 to 23:59 Tuesday 07/12/2021
Issued: 10:58 Sunday 05/12/2021
LATEST MARINE WARNINGS
Status Red - Violent Storm Warning from Mizen Head to Loop Head to Slyne Head
South winds, veering west to northwest will reach Violent Storm Force 11 during Tuesday on Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Loop Head to Slyne Head
Valid: 03:00 Tuesday 07/12/2021 to 23:00 Tuesday 07/12/2021
Issued: 21:45 Sunday 05/12/2021
Status Orange - Storm warning from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Fair Head
Southerly winds veering westerly will reach gale force 8 to storm force 10 on Tuesday on Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Fair Head
Valid: 00:00 Tuesday 07/12/2021 to 00:00 Wednesday 08/12/2021
Issued: 13:43 Sunday 05/12/2021
Status Yellow - Gale warning from Fair Head to Wicklow Head to Mizen Head and on the Irish Sea
Southerly winds veering westerly will reach gale force 8 or strong gale force 9 on Tuesday on Irish coastal waters from Fair Head to Wicklow Head to Mizen Head and on the Irish Sea
Valid: 00:00 Tuesday 07/12/2021 to 00:00 Wednesday 08/12/2021
Issued: 13:43 Sunday 05/12/2021