ALERT: Weather warnings for Kilkenny as Storm Ashley approaches
Kilkenny is included in a nationwide Status Yellow weather alert as Storm Ashley – the first named storm of the season – makes landfall tomorrow.
Met Éireann issued warnings for the entire the island of Ireland. A Status Orange wind warning has been issued for Galway, Mayo, Donegal and Clare from midday tomorrow to 9pm, with winds of up to 120km/h expected. There is also a possibility of coastal flooding because of high spring tides. Isolated thunderstorms are also forecast.
A Status Yellow warning has been issued for Kilkenny and the rest of the country, which comes into effect from 6am tomorrow until midnight. Kilkenny is also one of seven counties – along with Carlow, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork and Kerry – issued with a separate Status Yellow rain warning. This will come into effect from midnight tonight and remain in place until 9am tomorrow.
A Status Yellow warning has also been issued by the Met Office for Northern Ireland from 3am on Sunday to midday on Monday, while a Yellow marine warning is in place for the entire coastline around Ireland.
Forecasters said tomorrow will be a very windy day across the country, with a few thunderstorms possible.
Strong-to-gale-force southwest winds will bring the potential for some disruption, especially in Atlantic coastal areas.
National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) national director Keith Leonard said: “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.”
Meteorologist Joanne Donnelly said Storm Ashley is a “very serious storm” and urged people not to “risk your life for an Instagram photo”.
She told RTÉ’s Brendan O’Connor: “We’ve kind of got a perfect storm going on here, it is very serious. The main message we need to get out is there is to stay away from the coasts.”
