Flooding threat as Storm Austen triggers status yellow rain alert

Dressed for the rain on the South Mall, Cork were Edzel, Andrea and Aurora Carrillos as Met Éireann issue a wind and rain warning for Kerry and Cork. File picture: Dan Linehan

A status yellow rain warning has been issued for Ireland as Storm Austen is set to bring heavy rainfall eastwards across the country, with difficult travelling conditions and localised flooding possible.

The warning from Met Éireann is valid from 7pm on Thursday, October 22, until 8am on Friday, October 23.

The forecaster has warned that heavy rain could cause disruption to travel and outdoor events, with localised flooding possible.

Separate warning for Dublin and Wicklow

A separate status yellow rain warning has been issued for Dublin and Wicklow, with a spell of heavy rain expected between 1am and 8am on Wednesday, October 21.

Met Éireann has warned of difficult travelling conditions and possible localised flooding during the period.

What is the weather forecast for the rest of the week?

Wednesday will bring sunny spells and scattered showers, some of them heavy, with temperatures reaching 9C to 12C and moderate westerly winds.

Showers will continue across Munster and Leinster on Wednesday night before conditions become mainly dry towards morning. Overnight temperatures will fall to between 2C and 7C, with light southwesterly breezes.

Thursday will begin mainly dry before heavy rain develops in the southwest during the morning and spreads north through the afternoon, evening and early night. Met Éireann has warned of possible localised flooding, particularly in Munster and Leinster.

Temperatures will reach 10C to 13C, with moderate to fresh easterly to northeasterly winds. Heavy rain will clear eastwards overnight as northwesterly winds become strong and gusty, with lows of 5C to 8C.

Friday will be blustery, with sunshine and showers and temperatures of 9C to 11C. Further rain will move in from the west on Friday night, spreading eastwards across the country by morning as southerly winds strengthen.

Overnight temperatures will range from 3C to 8C.

Saturday will begin wet nationwide before rain clears eastwards, leaving showers behind. It will become very windy, with strong, gusty westerly winds and highs of 12C to 15C.

Sunday will be cooler, with sunshine and showers, fresh and gusty westerly winds and temperatures reaching 9C to 11C.

WEATHER CENTRE

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