Storm Amy to bring damaging winds to island of Ireland

Storm Amy will bring damaging winds to the island of Ireland with every county under weather warnings on Friday, forecasters said.

Wind speeds could reach up to 80mph (130km/h) along the most exposed coastal areas of the island, with fallen trees and power outages among the potential impacts.

In the Republic of Ireland, Met Eireann issued a nationwide status yellow wind warning between midday and midnight on Friday.

It said Storm Amy will bring heavy rain and stormy conditions with severe and damaging gusts.

It added that winds will “increase to storm or violent storm force” in western and northwestern coastal areas at times during the afternoon and evening.

Meteorologists said fallen trees, flying debris and difficult travelling conditions were expected.

There could be gale force winds in the north west, with five counties coming under a more severe status orange wind warning.

People in Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo are also warned of large waves and possible power outages.

A yellow warning for rain will apply to Galway and Kerry between 9am and 3pm on Friday

At sea and along the coast, there is also a status red warning from Loop Head to Rossan Point to Fair Head between 2pm and 8pm.

On Saturday there will be further status yellow warnings, with wind warnings for Dublin, Louth and Wicklow between 6am and noon; a combined wind and rain warning for Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo between midnight and noon; and a wind warning for Clare, Kerry, Galway and Mayo also between midnight and noon.

In Northern Ireland, a yellow wind warning is in place for the entire region between 2pm on Friday and midday on Saturday.

An additional amber wind warning applies to regions of Antrim, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Londonderry between 3pm and 8pm.

The UK Met Office said Storm Amy will likely bring a period of damaging south to southwesterly winds during the late afternoon and evening hours on Friday, with gusts of 60-70mph (97-113km/h) inland and up to 80mph along some more exposed coasts.

It said there is a “good chance” that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.

It warned there will “probably” be some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.

Meanwhile, there is a risk of injury and danger to life through flying debris and large waves.

The weather will also affect commuters with longer journey times and cancellations on public transport expected.