Blood rain? Met Éireann issues warning for Cork and Kerry with Saharan dust due 

Heavy rain, strong winds and possible Saharan dust expected, which can create a so-called 'blood rain' effect when it comes into contact with downpours

A rainy day on Princes Street in Cork City. Picture: Chani Anderson

Cork and Kerry are set for very wet weather heading into the weekend, as Met Éireann issues two status yellow warnings.

A rain warning is in place for Cork, Kerry, and Waterford, with "spells of heavy rain" expected from 9am on Friday until 9pm.

Met Éireann has also issued a status yellow wind warning for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo from midday on Friday until 9pm.

Strong, gusty winds are expected to bring difficult travelling conditions, along with the possibility of fallen trees and branches.

The warnings come as popular social media weather forecaster Alan O'Reilly, better known as Carlow Weather, said earlier this week that Saharan dust could reach Ireland.

"Saharan dust forecast shows the dust is forecast to reach Ireland towards end of week and some showers could bring some of that dust down to the surface," he said.

The dust is a mixture of sand and dust particles from the Sahara Desert in North Africa.

Winds in the desert can carry dust high into the atmosphere, and if upper-level winds blow north, it can reach Ireland. Rain can then bring the dust to the ground.

According to the UK Met Office: "As raindrops fall, they collect particles of dust on the way down. Then when the raindrops land on something and eventually evaporate, they leave behind a layer of dust."

Saharan dust can create so-called “blood rain” when it mixes with downpours. It is not uncommon in Ireland, having occurred a number of times in previous years.

Wind and rain set to stay across weekend 

More generally, Met Éireann said rain will be widespread across the country on Friday, with "some heavy and squally bursts possible, especially in the late afternoon and evening".

Friday night will be "wet and windy" early on "with gales on western, northern and eastern coasts".

"Some heavy and squally bursts of rain are possible," said Met Éireann. "The rain will clear eastwards overnight and will be followed by scattered showers of rain or sleet and some clear spells."

Temperatures will fall to lows of around 1C on Friday night.

Saturday will be another windy day, as a "crisp and sunny start in the east will give way to scattered blustery showers spreading from the west".

"Some of the showers will be heavy with a chance of hail and thunder, and a few could also be wintry over high ground in the west early on."

Temperatures will reach highs of 11C before falling to lows of around 4C overnight. Conditions on Saturday night will be "blustery with scattered showers and clear spells".

Sunday will be "another breezy and blustery day with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers".

Met Éireann says that some of the showers will be heavy "and there is a chance of hail".

Winds will ease on Sunday night, with showers clearing in most areas and temperatures falling to lows of 0C to 4C.