Ireland braces for impact of Storm Austen as Met Éireann warns of upgrades to warnings
Storm Austen is set to bring heavy rain, strong winds and possible flooding in parts of the country
Ireland is bracing for the arrival of Storm Austen, with Met Éireann warning that weather alerts could be upgraded as the first named storm of the season approaches.
A nationwide Status Yellow rain warning remains in place for Thursday evening into Friday morning, with heavy downpours, strong winds and possible flooding expected across the country.
However, forecasters have warned that the south of Ireland could experience the worst impacts, with further updates to weather warnings possible as the storm's exact track becomes clearer.
Carlow Weatherman Alan O’Reilly has warned that while the exact track of Storm Austen still remains a little uncertain, heavy rain overnight on Friday could bring localised flooding.
Met Éireann has also highlighted concerns about already saturated ground, warning that intense rainfall could run off quickly and increase the risk of flooding, particularly in built-up and low-lying areas.
Storm Austen is expected to approach from the Atlantic before tracking past Ireland's south coast towards the UK on Thursday evening and overnight into Friday.
Heavy rain will spread northeastwards across the country, with the national forecaster warning of difficult travelling conditions, localised flooding and disruption to outdoor events.
The nationwide Status Yellow rain warning will come into effect at 7pm on Thursday, October 22, and remain in place until 8am on Friday, October 23.
Meanwhile, Met Éireann updated its Status Yellow rain warning for Dublin and Wicklow early on Wednesday morning, extending the alert until 10am.
The warning covers heavy rainfall accompanied by strong and gusty winds, with difficult travelling conditions and localised flooding possible.
According to Met Éireann's latest national forecast, Wednesday will begin wet and windy across much of the north and east, before brighter conditions and scattered showers develop.
Some heavy and thundery downpours are expected to move in from the west during the evening, with temperatures reaching between 9C and 13C.
Thursday will begin largely dry, with sunny spells and scattered showers, before very heavy rain develops in the southwest during the afternoon.
The rain will spread northeastwards during the evening, with localised flooding possible, particularly across Munster and Leinster.
Temperatures will range between 10 degrees and 14 degrees, while winds will strengthen as Storm Austen approaches.
Conditions will remain wet and windy overnight, before the heaviest rain gradually clears eastwards on Friday morning.
Unfortunately, the arrival of Storm Austen will not mark the end of the unsettled conditions.
Met Éireann has warned that another area of low pressure could bring a further spell of wet and windy weather over the October bank holiday weekend.
The system is expected to track to the north of Ireland during Saturday and Sunday, potentially bringing widespread rain and strong winds.
Forecasters have also raised concerns about possible coastal flooding, with a period of spring tides coinciding with the unsettled conditions.
Saturday is expected to begin wet across the country before rain clears eastwards, with strong and gusty westerly winds developing.
Sunday will remain cool and breezy, with sunshine and showers and temperatures of around 9 to 11 degrees.
Met Éireann has stressed that uncertainty remains over the exact track of both weather systems, and the public is being urged to monitor the latest forecasts and warnings as the situation develops.