Calm after Storm Hannah. But Kilkenny motorists urged to beware of high winds

KILKENNY motorists, particularly drivers of high-sided vehicles, have been urged to drive with caution this morning as high winds remain in the aftermath of Storm Hannah.

Kilkenny escaped the full fury of the storm, which left up to 20,000 homes in the South and South West without electricity.

Clare, Limerick, Cork and Kerry experienced severe gusts of up to 150km/h last night, almost reaching a Category 2 hurricane status.

A Status Yellow wind warning remained in place in Kilkenny and neighbouring counties in the South East until 9am this morning.

However, motorists are being urged to drive with extreme caution once the weather alerts were lifted because of the potential for storm debris on roads.

Met Éireann confirmed it will remain “very windy” in Kilkenny and throughout the rest of Leinster this morning, but the heavy overnight rain has now cleared.

The national forecaster warned: “Whilst the winds will abate, it will still be rather windy into the afternoon, with fresh to strong and gusty northwest winds, steering down a mix of sunny spells and scattered heavy showers. However, the winds will moderate later in the afternoon with mostly dry fine conditions to end the day. Cool, with highs of 10 to 12 degrees Celsius.”

Tomorrow will be rather humid, with top temperatures of between 11C and 15C, with some patchy outbreaks of light, although most of this will in the north of the province.

Met Éireann added: “A good deal of dry weather will occur through the day too, and where the sun does break through across the south midlands, feeling pleasant in just light southerly breezes.”