Met Éireann warns travel disruption expected as yellow wind, rain and snow warnings issued

Flights diverted and travel disruption expected as strong winds, heavy rain and wintry showers sweep across Ireland

Met Éireann has said that "showers may fall as sleet or snow with some accumulations possible". Picture: Denis Minihane.

Difficult travelling conditions are expected across the country on Thursday and Friday as Met Éireann issues three separate status yellow weather warnings.

The forecaster has issued a snow and ice warning for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, and Wicklow from 9pm on Thursday until 9am on Friday, warning that “showers may fall as sleet or snow with some accumulations possible.”

Any snowfall is expected to mainly affect higher ground

A nationwide Status Yellow wind warning came into effect at midnight and will remain in place until 6pm on Thursday, with strong and gusty southwesterly winds forecast.

Met Éireann warned the winds could cause difficult travelling conditions, debris or loose objects being displaced, and some fallen branches or trees.

A separate status yellow wind warning has also been issued for Clare, Kerry, and Galway. The warning highlights strong and gusty southwest or west winds, with potential impacts including difficult travelling conditions, debris or loose objects being displaced, and wave overtopping in coastal areas.

A Status Yellow rain warning is also in place for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, and Connacht.

The forecaster warned heavy downpours in some areas could lead to spot flooding, poor visibility, and difficult travelling conditions. The rain warning remains in place until 3pm on Thursday.

Diverted flights

A number of flights were diverted to Shannon Airport from Cork and Dublin due to the weather conditions.

A spokesperson for The Shannon Airport Group told the Irish Examiner two flights from Cork were diverted at 8am and 10.21am.

"Passengers from both flights are to be transferred by coach to Cork Airport," said the spokesperson.

Another flight travelling from Amsterdam to Cork landed at Shannon Airport at 10.56am, with passengers on this service also due to be transferred by coach to Cork Airport.

"Shannon Airport is happy to assist airlines and our colleagues in other airports during weather-related disruptions and remains fully prepared to accommodate further diversions if required," they added.

Meanwhile, Daa spokesperson Graeme McQueen advised passengers planning to travel by air to check with their airline for any disruption.

“In the last couple of hours we've had three flights divert to other airports and we've had eight go-arounds as well,” he told RTÉ Radio’s Today with David McCullagh show.

“That's where the incoming plane tries to come down and land on the runway, but the wind levels are too strong and it goes back up again and then tries again. So a bit of disruption so far. The winds are actually due to get a bit stronger over the next two, three hours, so we're expecting the potential for further disruption as the morning goes on.

“The challenging conditions this morning are particularly bad for the smaller aircraft, the propeller aircraft trying to get in and out, so you may see some delays on those flights which serve the regional airports in the UK in particular. So keep in touch with your airline this morning if you are due to fly," he said.

National outlook

Today will be cold with clear spells and scattered blustery showers, some of which may be heavy, with isolated thunderstorms possible tonight.

According to Met Éireann, some showers will bring a wintry mix of rain, hail, and sleet, with temperatures falling to lows of 0C to 3C overnight.

Friday will be cold and breezy with bright or sunny spells and scattered showers.

Showers will gradually become less frequent early in the evening, becoming largely confined to Atlantic coastal counties, with clear spells developing for a time.

Cloud will increase from the Atlantic overnight, with patchy rain and drizzle developing in western areas. Westerly winds will ease to light or moderate and turn southwesterly overnight, with lowest temperatures of -1C to 3C.

According to the forecaster, Saturday will begin dry in the east with some sunshine, but cloud will thicken from the west through the morning as patchy rain and drizzle spread across the country during the afternoon.

Highest temperatures will range from 7C to 10C.