The western region of Ireland is bracing for a night of stormy weather, with a Status Yellow wind warning issued by Met Eireann for Galway and Mayo. The warning, which goes into effect at 7pm on Wednesday, August 21, and lasts until 2am on Thursday, August 22, cautions of "unseasonably strong and gusty south to southwest winds, coinciding with very high tides and heavy rain."
The combination of strong winds, high tides, and heavy rainfall poses a significant risk of coastal flooding, wave overtopping, damage to temporary structures, and difficult travelling conditions. The potential impacts from this weather will be most acute in the western parts of the two counties, Met Eireann cautions.
Coastal areas in Galway, particularly those on higher ground, are expected to bear the brunt of the storm's impact. The public has been advised to be prepared for heavy rain, high winds, and the possibility of coastal flooding. Galway City Council has taken proactive measures in Salthill, closing the Toft Car Park, Silverstrand Road and Car Park, and implementing a closure of Salthill Car Park from 1pm onwards. In anticipation of potential road closures, the council is also considering closing the road from D’Arcy Roundabout at Seapoint as far as Galway Business School.
The storm's arrival comes at a time when the region has already been experiencing unsettled weather, with a Status Yellow wind and rain warning in place for parts of the country this evening and overnight. Met Éireann is warning of "unseasonably strong and gusty south to southwest winds with spells of heavy rain and coinciding with very high tides” for Counties Galway and Mayo, mostly felt in coastal areas and on higher ground. The status yellow rain and wind warning is in place until 2.30am on Thursday, with potential for coastal flooding, wave overtopping, localised flooding, damage to temporary structures and difficult travelling conditions.
Beyond the immediate threat of the storm, Met Éireann has provided a broader outlook on the weather in the coming days. They indicate that the weather will continue rather cool and unsettled with further spells of rain or showers and rather windy or breezy at times. However it won't be as blustery over the weekend as recently, with some longer drier spells mixed in too and some sunshine, the best of this on Saturday. Sunday will start off mostly dry, with some sunshine for a time, especially in the midlands and east. However, it's likely to become cloudier for a time from the west with some showery rain spreading eastwards. Becoming drier and brighter again later. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees.
While the immediate storm is expected to pass, the region is set to experience more unsettled weather in the days to come. Met Éireann predicts that after a mainly dry start to Monday, the weather will become more unsettled once again early next week, with further spells of wet and blustery weather on the way.
This latest bout of stormy weather highlights the need for preparedness and vigilance, especially in coastal communities. The public is advised to stay informed about the latest weather updates and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and security.
