A storm is brewing and is set to hit Laois this weekend.
Hail, thunder and gale force winds are predicted with the worst of it set to hit on Saturday night and into Sunday.
Ireland’s Weather Channel’s Cathal Nolan has said “As expected, Storm Ciara has been officially named by the UK Met Office.
“It will bring disruptive weather conditions across large parts of the country during Saturday and Sunday, with strong winds and a risk of significant coastal flooding in some locations.”
Met Éireann have said “Unsettled weather is expected to develop across Ireland and Northwest Europe this weekend.
“The change will occur as very cold air sweeps out of Canada into the North Atlantic creating a sharp temperature contrast in the atmosphere over the ocean.
“This temperature contrast will result in the intensification of the jet stream over the North Atlantic, which will drive vigorous areas of low pressure towards Ireland.
“After a period of rather quiet weather, the change to unsettled mobile conditions will occur during Friday (Feb 7) as wet and windy weather moves in from the Atlantic.
“A further spell of heavy rain is expected on Saturday (Feb 8) and this will be accompanied by strong and gusty winds with a possibility of Status Yellow warnings.
“Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate further on Sunday (Feb 9) as Storm Ciara (named by the UK Met Office on Wednesday 5th February) tracks to the north of Ireland.
“Storm Ciara is forecast to be a vigorous Atlantic storm system with an expansive wind-field.
“There is a growing consensus that Sunday will be an extremely windy day across Ireland and the UK with widespread heavy rain, squally showers and with gales or storm force winds around our coasts.”
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