It is still ONLY August.
Heavy rain and strong winds are set to sweep across the country tonight for the second time in five days.
Following closely from Storm Ellen, Storm Francis is expected to make landfall tonight at 9pm.
The storm, which thankfully looks like it will not be as severe as last week’s, should have abated by 9pm on Tuesday.
Laois also looks likely to escape the worst of the weather as the west coast is once again to receive a battering.
Met Eireann have issued a Status Orange rainfall warning and two Status Yellow warnings for wind and rain over the next two days as Storm Francis approaches.
The Orange rainfall warning covers Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Wexford, Cork, Kerry and Waterford.
A Yellow rainfall warning has been issued for Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.
Met Éireann said: “Intense rainfall associated with Storm Francis is expected at times Monday night and Tuesday, leading to accumulations of 40 to 60mm (higher values in mountainous areas).
“The most intense rainfall is expected to ease off in southern counties during Tuesday morning. Some flash flooding likely.
“This rainfall will further elevate river levels and may result in river flooding also.”
Forecasters said that winds will possibly reach average speeds of 55-65km/h and gusts of up to 110km/h.
Met Éireann said: “Very windy or stormy conditions are expected on Tuesday as Storm Francis crosses Ireland.
“Some disruption is likely and possibly structural damage.”
Local forecaster Cathal Nolan, of Ireland’s Weather Channel, fears there could be further power cuts with a second storm coming so soon after Storm Ellen.
He said: “Status Orange weather warnings have been issued for heavy rain leading to a risk of localised flooding across many Atlantic coastal areas of the south, west and northwest of the country, with as much as 40-60 mm likely across a large area, with up to 80 mm possible over the mountains of Cork, Kerry, Galway, Mayo and Donegal. Flooding of rivers and low lying areas is a possibility.
“Meanwhile A Status Yellow Weather Warning is in place for very strong winds in the south and southeast with gusts of up to 120 km/h likely in coastal areas, with gusts of up to 110 km/h further inland.
“Some localised disruption to electrical services is likely, especially so after the impact of Storm Ellen just last week.
“Weather warnings may be upgraded to Status Orange depending upon the development of Storm Francis over the coming hours.”
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