Met Éireann has raised Co Kerry to a Status Orange rain alert for tomorrow, as Storm Amy is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds over the coming days, reports RTE.
Storm Amy, the first named storm of the season, is predicted to hit Ireland from 6am tomorrow.
The Orange-level rain warning for Kerry begins at 6am and will remain in place until 8pm tomorrow evening, with forecasts of intense rain, possible flooding, and hazardous travel conditions, reports RTE.
A Status Yellow rain alert has also been issued for Cavan, Donegal, Munster, Connacht, and Longford, active from 6am to 8pm tomorrow.
In addition, a separate Status Yellow wind warning is in effect for the entire country on Friday, reports RTE.
Met Éireann cautioned that widespread rain could result in localised flooding, poor travel conditions, and blocked drains.
On Friday, the whole country will face a Status Yellow wind warning as Storm Amy moves in, bringing strong to near gale-force and gusty southwesterly winds. The weather service warned this may cause travel disruption, scattered debris, and potentially downed trees.
The UK Met Office has also issued a weather warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry, warning of potential disruption from strong winds on Friday evening and overnight into Saturday, reports RTE.
This Yellow wind warning runs from 4pm on Friday until 6am on Saturday.
Warnings for heavy rain have also been issued for parts of western and southern Scotland over the coming days.
Met Éireann also released a Status Yellow gale warning from Fair Head to Carlingford Lough to Carnsore Point and on the Irish Sea, beginning at 5pm tomorrow and lasting until midnight, reports RTE.
In a message on X, Met Éireann said more updates will be shared as “certainty increases”.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, Met Éireann meteorologist Michelle Dillon said updated warnings have been issued in preparation for Storm Amy on Friday, reports RTE.
“Ahead of Amy, we have some very heavy, impactful rainfall tomorrow,” she said, reports RTE.
“This Yellow rainfall warning has been issued for Munster, for Connacht, Cavan, Donegal and Longford and it’s that warning has been upgraded to Orange for Co Kerry for tomorrow. That’s all happening in advance of Storm Amy,” reports RTE.
Ms Dillon noted that the storm system is still some distance from Ireland.
“This is still a long way away, over the other side of the Atlantic. But the Atlantic is very unsettled at the moment,” she said, reports RTE.
“Conditions are ripe for this low pressure to rapidly deepen, develop, come across the Atlantic and continuing to deepen as it approaches ourselves and the UK,” reports RTE.
Ms Dillon said it appears the northwest will be the most affected area before the storm moves on to Scotland.
She also said that Ireland will not escape the storm’s effects and noted that warnings may need to be upgraded.
“The storm track looks set to come some place in the vicinity,” she said, reports RTE.
“It could shift further south, it could shift a little bit further north. If it shifts even further south, and we’ll be watching that, there could be further upgrades to those wind warnings, especially in parts of the northwest and north,” reports RTE.
“Storm Amy is more a wind event, but there will also be more heavy rain with it as well,” she added, reports RTE.
Met Éireann has said that current models suggest unsettled conditions will persist into next week.
The Road Safety Authority has urged drivers to “need to slow down” and to increase their braking distance in wet weather.
“This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning,” it said, reports RTE.
Drivers are also advised to take extra care when travelling behind large vehicles due to reduced visibility caused by spray.
“Hold back to where you can see their mirrors,” the RSA advised.
Motorists are warned not to attempt driving through flooded roads and to consider alternative routes, reports RTE.
“Do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible,” the authority added, reports RTE.
Drivers are urged to follow official routes and to respect road closures issued by local authorities or An Garda Síochána.
“After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes,” the RSA said, reports RTE.
“Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds,” reports RTE.
Storm Amy is the first storm to be named in the new season, which began on 1 September and runs through 31 August next year.
The storm name list is a collaboration between Met Éireann, the UK Met Office, and the Dutch weather service.
The seven names selected by Met Éireann for the season are: Bram, Fionnuala, Gerard, Kasia, Marty, Patrick and Tadhg. The UK Met Office officially named Storm Amy earlier this morning, reports RTE.
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