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Met Éireann has issued a warning for high winds and heavy rain with risk of flooding on the west coast as a result of Storm Bella.
The national forecaster posted a yellow status warning for wind and rain beginning at 3 p.m. on St. Stephen’s Day. The storm will bring strong winds and rain into the early hours of Sunday morning. Up to 1,500 homes are without power tonight as the impact of the storm is felt across the country, according to RTÉ.
Met Éireann forecasts that the storm’s westerly winds will reach speeds of 50km / h-65km / h and gusts of 90km / h-110km / h, potentially even higher near the west coast.
“With the combination of strong winds, high waves and forecast storm surge, there is a risk of coastal flooding along the west coast,” Met Éireann warned.
Heavy rains from the storm have been moving south across Ireland throughout the day and may cause localized flooding in some areas. Weather warnings will remain in place until 4 a.m. Sunday.
Rain is forecast to be heaviest in the northwest of the country on Saturday afternoon, before moving southeast.
Windy with widespread heavy rains early tonight, gradually clearing to scattered showers from the northwest with some winter. Lows of 0 to 3 degrees due to very strong and gusty winds from west to southwest are relieved at night with the formation of frost and ice in more protected places. pic.twitter.com/XZIGIt3RDS
– I met Éireann (@MetEireann)
December 26, 2020
Temperatures will be between seven and 10 degrees.
“Widespread rains with heavy drops that carry the risk of point flooding, will gradually clear south tonight, followed by scattered rains,” according to the forecaster.
The strong gusts will persist through the night, even reaching hurricane force winds in some western coastal areas.
Met Éireann also issued a yellow snow and ice status warning for Donegal and Leitrim on Sunday.
The forecaster said the expected winter rains on Sunday posed a risk of icy stretches on roads and untreated surfaces. The warning is in effect from 6 a.m. M. From Sunday until 8 p.m. M. From that night.
The Donegal City Council warned that road gritters would not be in action on the night of St. Stephen’s Day, that people should “assume that no road is ice-free.”
AA Roadwatch has advised motorists driving in these areas to “exercise extra caution in these conditions, slow down and avoid any difficult maneuvers.”
The UK Met Office issued a similar snow and ice warning in Northern Ireland for Sunday, as overnight rain, sleet and snow create icy surfaces on roads.
There is also a status orange marine warning due to high winds on Saturday and Sunday. Met Éireann has said that winds could reach storm force levels 10 on Saturday over Irish coastal waters and in the Irish Sea.
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