Ireland Weather: Met Eireann issues warning to 16 counties for dire conditions

Ireland is closing the hatches today, with no fewer than 16 counties facing Status Yellow wind warnings for today and tomorrow.

Met Eireann is forecasting high winds and even flooding in a large number of counties in Ireland, and warnings were also issued to two counties in the north.

The national forecaster has issued five separate warnings this morning, with gusts hitting many parts of the country this afternoon and evening.

Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick could face winds of up to 110 km / h, with a warning from this afternoon until tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Leitrim and Sligo will experience strong winds and high tides tonight, and Met Eireann has put up a warning as of 9pm tonight.

Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Meath had the same luck before the weekend, with winds from the northwest reaching an average speed of 50 to 65 km / h.

And Donegal rounds out the 16 counties facing high winds today, with a Status Yellow in place from tonight through the early hours of Thursday morning.

Met Eireann issues yellow warnings where weather conditions could cause a localized hazard, although this is not uncommon.

In addition to the Status Yellow warnings, the next few days will see temperatures in Ireland drop near the zero-degree mark.

A Met Eireann spokesman said today will consist of “scattered sunny periods and heavy rains,” adding that there is a risk of coastal flooding along the Atlantic coasts.

Tonight will bring frequent rains, with lower temperatures of between 3 and 5 degrees, as well as continuous winds and the constant threat of coastal flooding looming over various parts of the country. The winds will abate as the night progresses, the spokesperson said.

Tomorrow, however, it will dawn dry and bright, with spells of misty sun, according to Met Eireann.