Met Éireann has issued its highest-level weather warning for Cork, Clare, Kerry, and Limerick as Storm Éowyn approaches Ireland, bringing potentially life-threatening conditions with winds expected to exceed 130km/h on Friday morning.
The status red warning, in effect from 3am to 10am Friday, warns of “severe, damaging, and destructive” winds that pose a significant danger to life. An announcement on school closures in affected areas is expected later today, following historical precedent during red warnings.
According to The Irish Examiner, the severe weather system, described by Carlow Weather’s Alan O’Reilly as potentially rivaling 2017’s Storm Ophelia, will bring multiple hazards including coastal flooding, widespread power outages, and extremely dangerous traveling conditions. The entire country will be under an orange wind warning from 2am to 5am Friday.
Additional concerns include:
- Heavy rain causing localized flooding in Cork, Kerry, and Waterford
- Potential structural damage to buildings
- Widespread transport disruption
- Dangerous wave overtopping in coastal areas
- Risk of falling trees and flying debris
The storm’s progression will begin Thursday night with very stormy conditions developing nationwide. By Friday morning, Storm Éowyn’s center will track near the northwest coast, bringing extreme winds across the country. Conditions will gradually improve Friday afternoon, though temperatures will feel notably cold due to the wind-chill factor.
Met Éireann continues to monitor the “evolving situation,” with the weather advisory remaining in effect until midnight Saturday.