Met Éireann updates weather warning for Laois ahead of Storm Ashley

Met Éireann has updated weather warnings ahead of Storm Ashley hitting the country later this weekend.

A status yellow wind warning for Laois will be in place from midnight on Sunday until 3am on Monday, a longer period than initially expected. 

A status-orange wind warning has been updated to include Clare and Donegal alongside Galway and Mayo, as the first named storm of the season is expected to make landfall on Sunday.

Storm Ashley will bring strong and gusty south to southwest winds, coupled with high spring tides.

Possible impacts of the storm include fallen trees and branches, difficult driving and cycling conditions and debris, and loose objects could be displaced.

Met Éireann meteorologist Liz Walsh said the storm would bring damaging gusts across the country alongside the risk of coastal flooding.

“We are currently in a period of exceptionally high spring tides, and this, tied in with the strong winds and high waves, will substantially increase the risk of coastal flooding, especially along Atlantic coasts,” she said.

The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), Met Éireann and various other stakeholders met on Friday to discuss the current weather warnings in place for Storm Ashley.

The NDFEM said it will continue to liaise with Met Éireann and will monitor the conditions over the weekend.

Local authority severe weather assessment teams (Swats) will continue to monitor conditions locally and local authorities have their emergency response teams in place.

Keith Leonard, national director of the NDFEM, said: “I would urge the public to stay away from coastal areas during this period and to heed the appeal from the Irish Coast Guard for people to ‘stay back, stay high, stay dry’.

“Also, dangerous travelling conditions are possible and road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees and flying debris as trees are in full leaf.

“There is a potential for tidal flooding in coastal areas, especially in southern and western counties. In addition to this, heavy persistent showers are expected, which in turn may lead to surface flooding in urban locations.”