Storm Amy: Orange warning in place as Ireland set to be hit by heavy rain and gale-force winds

A second status yellow warning, covering the entire country, has been issued for Friday, when the worst impacts of the storm are expected. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Kerry is under an orange warning and a number of other counties are under yellow warnings as Storm Amy, the first named storm of the new storm season, is expected to reach Ireland from tomorrow morning. 

Met Éireann predicts predicts flooding and very difficult travelling conditions for Kerry from 6am while there is a yellow warning for the rest of Munster, Connacht, Donegal, Cavan, and Longford.

The yellow warning is for “widespread rain,” localised flooding, and difficult travel conditions across affected areas.

The warnings remain in effect until 8pm tomorrow.

A second status yellow warning, covering the entire country, has been issued for Friday, when the worst impacts of the storm are expected.

According to Met Éireann, the storm will bring “strong to near gale force and gusty southwesterly winds” on Friday, creating hazardous travel conditions, displaced debris and loose objects, and a risk of uprooted or fallen trees in some areas.

The forecaster says the warnings are likely to be updated “as certainty increases”.

The weather is only set to improve marginally over the weekend.

The winds are forecast to remain gusty through to Saturday, though the rainfall is expected to ease somewhat.

Into next week, Met Éireann said current indications suggest that it will remain unsettled with further spells of rain.

Speaking about Storm Amy, meteorologist Ailís Hankinson said: "It is the first storm of the season so it’s essential to be prepared for potential impacts caused by the strong winds and the rain. There could be difficult travelling conditions, loose objects or flying debris. 

"Trees are still in leaf at this time of the year, so there could be higher impacts from fallen trees and leaves blocking drains, causing localised flooding. Small, upland river catchments are the most at risk of flooding, so precautions for potential localised flooding in these areas are also important.

The forecaster says the warnings are likely to be updated “as certainty increases," noting that the wind warnings could be extended into Saturday for parts of the north west.

Impacts of the storm will include:

• Localised flooding, the heavy rain will fall on already saturated grounds, with river levels increasing. Smaller upland catchments in the South-West and West are at the greatest risk of flooding, as mountainous areas are currently forecasted to see the greater rainfall accumulations.
• Difficult or dangerous travelling conditions 
• Debris, displaced objects 
• Fallen trees 
• Surface water flooding, as the ground is saturated countrywide. Trees are in leaf at the moment so fallen leaves and other debris may block drains and small rivers, increasing the risk of surface water flooding.
• Isolated spray overtopping: even if we’re in a period of neap tides, strong onshore winds and significant waves from Storm Amy may cause isolated spray overtopping at times of high tide along the West coast.

National outlook

Tonight, rain will become widespread again, with heavier showers in the west and southwest by morning. Temperatures will stay mild, 12C to 15C in moderate to fresh southerly winds.

Thursday is forecast to be “wet and blustery” with heavy rain possibly leading to localised flooding. Highs will range from 13C to 17C.

From Thursday onwards, conditions will turn “very unsettled and wet.”

Thursday night will see rain clear eastwards early, followed by scattered showers and some clear spells. Cloud will thicken in the west and south later, with patchy rain near southwest coasts by morning. Lows will range from 9C to 12C in moderate to fresh southwesterly winds.

Friday is forecast to be a “wet and very windy day” with heavy rain spreading northeast in the morning. Strong to near gale force southwesterly winds will develop, with gales or strong gales along western and northwestern coasts. Highs will range from 15C to 19C.

Friday night is expected to remain windy, with heavy showers or longer spells of rain. Strong to near gale force winds, with gales on western coasts, will gradually ease as winds turn westerly by Saturday morning.