Significant flooding and hazardous travelling conditions are expected today, with a Status Orange rain weather warning in place for Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford as Storm Claudia arrives.
Meanwhile, a Status Yellow rain weather warning has been issued by Met Éireann for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
The Orange warning is in place from 12pm on Friday until 8am on Saturday, with significant rainfall expected, especially on high ground and exposed areas.
In areas affected by the Yellow warning, heavy and persistent rain is expected on saturated grounds, with Met Éireann warning of flooding, difficult travel conditions and poor visibility. The warning is valid from 9:00am on Friday until 9:00am on Saturday.
Aside from the rain warning, there is a Status Yellow wind warning in place for Dublin, Louth, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow. Strong and gusty northeastern winds are expected, which could cause wind related debris and difficult travel conditions. The wind warning is in place from 12:00 on Friday until 04:00 on Saturday.
Marine warnings have also been issued. There is a Status Yellow Gale warning from Belfast Lough to Dungarvan to Rossan Point and on the Irish Sea in place from 6am on Friday until midnight on Saturday. Northeast to east winds will reach gale force 8, occasionally increasing to strong gale force 9 in the east and south, the weather service said on Thursday night.
Additionally, there is a Yellow Small Craft warning for all coasts of Ireland. Met Éireann said that Northeast to east winds will reach force 6 or higher, with this warning valid from midnight on Friday until 6:00am on Saturday.
National Director of Fire and Emergency Management Keith Leonard said on Friday morning that anyone who gets into trouble should ring 999 straight away. People who think their local area may flood can also request sandbags from the council.
Met Éireann said of the warnings, which are associated with Storm Claudia: “A weather front is forecast to travel north over southern and eastern parts of Ireland. The rain is the main feature of this event, occurring after a long period of heavy rain over the west and south of Ireland this week, which means the rain will fall on saturated grounds and over swollen rivers.
“In addition to the rain, northeasterly winds will develop over Ireland, especially near the east coast. The direction of the wind is expected to compound impacts in eastern coastal counties allowing the rain to essentially ‘pack up’ against the high ground in these counties.”
You can view an interactive weather map here.