Met Eireann has issued a Status Orange wind warning for Wexford and Waterford as Storm Dennis continues to batter parts of the country.
Status Yellow wind and rainfall warnings for the entire country have been in place since the early hours of Saturday morning but the gusts currently hitting Wexford and Waterford have resulted in a more extreme wind warning being issued for those two counties.
The Status Orange warning, which is valid until 8pm tonight, reads: “South to southwest winds with mean speeds of 55 to 75 km/h will gust up to 120 km/h, strongest on exposed coasts and hills.”
It was initially thought that Storm Dennis would not be as severe as Storm Ciara but additional weather warnings are possible as the weekend continues.
Met Eireann’s forecast states that the effects of Storm Dennis will likely be felt around the country until Monday morning.
Status Orange Wind Warning for Wexford and Waterford.
Valid from 09:00 Sat, 15-Feb-2020 until 20:00 Sat, 15-Feb-2020. https://t.co/ozrQHtoOkt#stormdennis pic.twitter.com/eIddAZuP5W— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 15, 2020
The national forecast reads: “Storm Dennis will bring further very wet and very windy spells for the rest of today with some severe/damaging gusts. Outbreaks of rain will occur widely, accompanied by strong to gale force southerly winds. The rain will be squally at times with a risk of embedded thunderstorms. Localised flooding is expected with some coastal overtopping. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees.
“Further spells of heavy rain tonight with some thundery downpours and the ongoing risk of flooding. The rain will eventually break up into showers towards dawn. Winds will ease off somewhat for a time inland, but gales will continue in coastal counties. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees.
“The effects of Storm Dennis will continue on Sunday. A very windy day with stormy conditions in Atlantic coastal counties. Sunshine and widespread heavy squally showers, especially in the north and west, with a risk of hail and thunder. Some of the showers may turn wintry on higher ground. Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees, but feeling colder in strong to gale force southwest winds, with severe and damaging gusts.”
