Met Éireann confirms Storm Ashley will hit Ireland amid STATUS ORANGE warnings

Met Éireann has confirmed that Storm Ashley will hit Ireland late on Sunday, wreaking havoc with high winds and possible thunderstorms and flooding. The national forecaster has issued a series of warnings regarding the low pressure system that is deepening as it approaches our west coast.

The most serious warning yet is a Status Orange wind warning for Galway and Mayo, which comes into force from noon on Sunday.

“Storm Ashley will bring very strong and gusty southerly winds, coupled with high spring tides,” Met Éireann warns.

They say the impacts include “coastal flooding, large coastal waves, displaced loose objects, fallen trees, very difficult travel conditions, hazardous sea conditions, damage to power lines, power outages and damage to already weakened structures.”

This warning applies until Sunday evening 9 p.m.

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Elsewhere, a Status Yellow wind warning has been issued for the rest of the country, including Northern Ireland.

In that warning, Met Éireann said: “Storm Ashley will bring strong and gusty southerly winds, coupled with high spring tides.”

Impacts outside orange counties continue to include coastal flooding, large coastal waves, some downed trees, as well as difficult driving and biking conditions and the potential for debris and loose objects to be moved.

This national warning applies Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight.

Met Éireann’s general forecast for Sunday adds: “It will be very windy on Sunday. The rain will clear quickly to the north-east on Sunday morning, leaving a day of sunny spells and stormy showers. Some western and northern areas will see more persistent rain will return in the afternoon with possible thunderstorms.

“Strong to gusty south-westerly winds may cause some disruption, especially in the Atlantic coastal areas. There will be a continued risk of coastal flooding due to a combination of high seas and spring tides. Highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees. Sunday evening will remain very windy with clear spells and scattered showers. At least 7 to 10 degrees.

There’s more good news as they say that “winds will ease on Monday, leaving a mostly dry day with sunny spells and only a few showers in the Atlantic coastal areas.”