Storm Ellen is moving over Ireland across Wednesday and into Thursday.
Several weather warnings have been issued for the entire country, including a status red wind warning for Cork.
The storm will track over Ireland on Wednesday night and during Thursday, bringing a period of severe and potentially damaging winds.
Meanwhile the crisis management team of the National Directorate of Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) met on Wednesday morning.
The NDFEM also followed up with calls to coastal counties, advising of potential for coastal flooding and very high winds along exposed coasts.
Local authorities are deploying temporary flood defences, and putting response staff on standby.
They will also be providing public safety advice based on local conditions.
The NDFEM has issued a number of key public safety messages:
- This is an exceptional storm for August - people should take account of Met Éireann weather warnings affecting their location
- Many people are on holidays at coastal locations. Stay away from all coastal areas for the duration of the Met Éireann warnings
- All road users should be aware of the hazardous traveling conditions. Motorists should slow down and be aware of the dangers of fallen trees and debris. High sided vehicles are particularly vulnerable during this time
- As conditions will vary people need to take account of the local conditions and advice from their local authority
- It is critical that people never ever touch or approach fallen wires, stay safe and stay clear of fallen or damage electricity wires, and contact the ESB on 1850-372-999
#StormEllen will produce severe impacts this evening/tonight.
Mild & cloudy, rain in most areas, drier periods also. Highs of 17 to 20C. Very windy/stormy conditions spreading from the S this evening with damaging gusts.
This animation shows the development of #StormEllen. pic.twitter.com/HOW951DfQv— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) August 19, 2020
Local authorities have also been advised to actively monitor Met Éireann and OPW forecasts during the unsettled weather.
They should also consider activation of crisis management and local co-ordination arrangements, the NDFEM says.
It also notes that trees are in full leaf, with the potential for significant numbers of trees to fall - blocking roads and damaging power lines.
ESB Networks is preparing for "significant power outages", with staff on standby to repair faults in all areas.
The Irish Coast Guard, An Garda Síochána and local authorities are relaying public safety advice based on the warnings issued by Met Éireann ahead of the storm's arrival.
What weather can we expect?
Wednesday
Very windy or stormy from early on tonight. Rain in southern counties will move northwards as a further spell of persistent and locally heavy rain in the southwestern region will extend northwards, accompanied by strong and gusty southerly winds, reaching gale force at times along southwestern and western coasts.
Lowest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees
Thursday
Continuing stormy along western coasts on Thursday morning and afternoon as heavy and thundery showers spread northwards along with some sunny spells.
Fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds will strengthen along exposed coasts throughout the day, with gale force winds at times along western coasts.
Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees.
Thursday night
Continuing very windy. A further spell of wet and windy weather will move into Atlantic coastal counties early in the night, extending across the country overnight with further heavy and possibly thundery bursts.
Lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds with near gale or gale force winds along coasts
Friday
Remaining windy in many areas.
The rain will clear to showers in the southern half of the country during the morning as the rain continues to push northeastwards, clearing Ulster in the afternoon with showery conditions for the rest of the day.
Highest temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees.
Southerly winds will be fresh to strong and gusty and strong in some coastal areas at first, veering southwesterly during the day and decreasing moderate to fresh but still strong on some coasts
Tidal situation
The OPW says there will be a period of very high astronomical Spring Tides in all coastal areas, from Wednesday to Sunday.
Astronomical tides will generally be highest between Thursday and Saturday.
While storm surge levels are currently relatively low in all coastal areas, they are predicted to significantly increase Wednesday and Thursday in all coastal areas.
