Kilkenny motorists urged to ‘expect the unexpected’ as Storm Erik hits
BATTEN down the hatches – Storm Erik is set to batter the country with gale force winds today.
Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow weather warning for Kilkenny, which came into effect at 5am today and will remain in place until 6am tomorrow.
And it has upgraded its warning to Status Orange in some coastal parts of the country, which are bracing for damaging gusts of up to 110 to 130km/h.
The highest winds will be in exposed coastal areas, where wind speeds could be even greater.
In Kilkenny and throughout Leinster, today will be extremely windy. Met Éireann said: “Friday will be a very windy day. Strong to gale-force and gusty south to south-westerly winds will veer south-westerly. The rain will clear during the morning to scattered showers. Afternoon highs of 6 to 9 degrees.”
The Road Safety Authority of Ireland asked road users to exercise caution today, warning them to “expect the unexpected”.
It urged motorists to:
*Allow extra space allow between themselves and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds;
*Drive with dipped headlights at all times;
*Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
Met Éireann said tonight will be very windy or stormy across Kilkenny and Leinster, with clear spells and blustery showers.
The severe wins will gradually abate tomorrow with “good winter sunshine and just scattered showers”, according to the national forecaster.
Sunday is set to be a chilly, bright day with sunny spells and a few showers. Temperatures will drop sharply overnight to between zero to -3 degrees with widespread frost.
