Yellow weather warning issued for two Irish counties with flooding risk

Road-users have been warned of difficult travelling conditions.

The national forecaster has warned of "unseasonably strong and gusty south to southwest winds, coinciding with very high tides and heavy rain."

The potential impacts are most likely in western parts of counties and include coastal flooding, wave over-topping, damage to temporary structures and difficult travelling conditions.

The warning is in place from 9am on Wednesday, August 21, until 2am on Thursday, August 22.

The alert comes as the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto travels through the Atlantic after hitting Bermuda last week.

While it is expected to lose hurricane status as it pushes further north, Ernesto will influence Ireland's weather system at the end of the week.

You can check out the full national outlook from Met Éireann below

⚠️Status Yellow - Wind warning for Galway and Mayo⚠️

Unseasonably strong and gusty south to southwest winds, coinciding with very high tides and heavy rain. Potential impacts are most likely in western parts of counties.

Valid: 19:00 Wednesday to 02:00 Thursday 22/08/2024 pic.twitter.com/HyaG2R8Knk

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) August 20, 2024

Met Éireann's national outlook for this week

Wednesday, August 21
Mostly cloudy tomorrow, Wednesday, with rain and drizzle across the northern half of the country in the morning, becoming drier through the afternoon.

Staying mainly dry but dull further south.

Southerly winds will strengthen through the day, increasing strong near Atlantic coasts, which may lead to coastal flooding and wave overtopping later in the evening. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees.

Wet and windy Wednesday night with heavy and persistent rain moving eastwards over the country, bringing the chance of flooding, accompanied by fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds.

Winds will ease westerly as the rain clears eastwards. Lowest temperatures 12 to 16 degrees.

Thursday, August 22
The last of the overnight rain and strong winds will clear from the east of the country early on Thursday morning, then the day will be largely dry with sunny spells and well scattered showers. Highest temperatures 16 to 19 degrees in mostly moderate west or southwest winds.

Another spell of windy and very wet weather will come through on Thursday night bringing a chance of flooding in places. Lowest temperatures 10 to 12 degrees with variable winds.

Friday, August 23
The heavy rain is expected to move through Friday morning, once again clearing to sunshine and blustery showers. Highest temperatures 14 to 18 degrees.

Saturday, August 24
Sunshine and showers on Saturday, highest temperatures 14 to 18 degrees with mostly moderate westerly winds.

Current indications are that unsettled conditions will persist through Sunday and in to next week.