We are not in the clear yet!
After last weekend saw Storm Ciara cause havoc, we are now bracing ourselves once again for a battering of wind and rain.
Cathal Nolan of Ireland’s Weather Channel has issued a warning on Storm Dennis – the deepest Atlantic storm on record.
He said: “Storm Dennis is expected to impact the country through Saturday and Sunday bringing with it the risk of damaging winds along the west coast, as well as heavy rain and monstrous sea swells that are likely to cause some significant damage in coastal communities.
“At its peak around 400 km to the northwest of Ireland Dennis will see its central pressure drop to between 913 – 915 hPa, which would tie as being the deepest pressure reading ever recorded in the North Atlantic Ocean not from a Hurricane.
“Such a pressure reading is truly phenomenal.
“Maximum wind speeds from Storm Dennis look to stay off-shore thankfully, but at the storms peak there are indications of wind speeds exceeding 210 km/h around 300 km west of the Irish coastline.
“Overland the strongest winds from Storm Dennis will reach between 120 – 140 km/h, strongest in Atlantic Coastal fringes.
“The sea swell generated by Storm Dennis is expected to be truly phenomenal and is likely to be larger than that generated by Storm Ciara.
“Current indications suggest sea swells and wave heights both reaching in excess of 15 metres or some 50 feet between Sunday and Monday.
“Significant coastal flooding is possible with damage to coastlines also likely.
“Heavy rain associated with Storm Dennis will affect many parts of the country over the course of the weekend with rainfall totals in some areas exceeding 40 mm once again for the weekend period, leading to a renewed risk of flooding in areas which experienced significant flooding from Storm Ciara.”
The UK Met Office has also issued a warning for severe floods and strong winds.
Met Eireann say: “A very wet and very windy start to Saturday in association with Storm Dennis. Rain in all areas during the morning, heaviest in the west, clearing to blustery showers during the afternoon.
“Strong and gusty southerly winds veering southwesterly with gales on coasts. Another band of heavy rain crosses the country on Saturday night with southwesterly winds remaining strong to gale force. Lows of 2 to 5 degrees.
“Sunday will be a wet and windy start to Sunday, with rain giving way to blustery, heavy showers during the afternoon. Showers will turn wintry over high ground. Very windy again on Sunday, strongest in the west with southwesterly gales or strong gales on coasts.
“Early next week, remaining unsettled with strong and gusty westerly winds and showers on Monday, less windy with fewer showers for Tuesday, with present indications showing more settled conditions for Wednesday.”
SEE ALSO – Former Laois footballer wins Carlow GAA award for contribution to secondary schools
