Storm Ciaran changes direction but that means good and bad news for Ireland

Storm Ciaran has seemingly changed direction but that still means good and bad news for Ireland with a number of weather warnings already in place. 

It looks as though the powerful system will pass the south of Ireland with the worst effects impacting France and parts of the UK.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather said: "Latest charts for Storm Ciarán and many models keep the heavy rain just South of Ireland but one has it still catching Southern counties. Small subtle changes still likely before he approaches tomorrow night."

Weather Alerts Ireland added: "We are lucky to dodge Storm Ciarán. This is a very powerful storm with winds possibly exceeding 170 or even 180km/h which are expected to impact Northwest France.

"We are also expected to miss a lot of the rain with just the southern coastal areas seeing around 10mm. The South East tip could see up to 30mm."

Met Éireann is still monitoring Storm Ciaran which looks like impacting Ireland on Wednesday and Thursday. The national forecaster has already issued a number of warnings for the grim weather system.

"Storm Ciaran will to track to the south of Ireland on Wednesday night and Thursday bringing heavy rain and strong winds, especially to Leinster and Munster. Continuing unsettled for the rest of the week.

"On Wednesday night, Storm Ciaran will track eastwards close to the south coast of Ireland with a spell of heavy rain, mainly over Munster and Leinster with the likelihood of some flooding. Fresh to strong and gusty northeast winds will develop and will also be strongest in Munster and Leinster. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees, coldest in Ulster," they said.

The first warning is a Status Yellow rain warning for Kerry which predicts heavy rain with localised flooding possible. The warning is valid from 12pm Tuesday until 12pm Wednesday.

There is a separate Status Yellow rain warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork and Waterford. 

Met Éireann says: "Further rainfall associated with Storm Ciarán, combined with saturated ground conditions and high river levels, may lead to flooding."

The warning for these counties is in place from 7pm Wednesday to 7pm Thursday.

A Status Yellow wind warning will also come into effect on Wednesday in Kerry, Clare and Galway. 

It warns of "strong and very gusty westerly winds, accompanied by squally showers" with possible impacts listed as "difficult travelling conditions and wave overtopping."

This wind warning comes into force at 5am on Wednesday morning and expires at 11am that same day.