Ice storm or forest fire? Check online before you set off

HOLIDAYMAKERS heading abroad are now able to see if they will encounter severe heatwaves, forest fires or even avalanches on their dream trips.

Met Éireann has joined forces with forecasters across Europe in a website showing weather alerts and dangers across the continent.

Visitors to www.meteoalarm.eu will be able to see threats across Europe ranked according to severity, with red the most serious and white representing no risk. Environment Minister Batt O’Keeffe, visiting Met Éireann headquarters in Glasnevin, Dublin, for the Irish launch of the MeteoAlarm website, said: “As a single source of comprehensive weather conditions anywhere in Europe, it will benefit all citizens, visitors to Europe, and not least, the civic authorities,” he said.