Austen is on the way! Limerick braces itself for the first storm of the season
Met Éireann reports heavy rain will spread eastward across the country
A STATUS Yellow rain warning has been issued for Limerick and the rest of the country for this Thursday, October 22, as the first named storm of the season approaches.
The status yellow rain alert will be in place from 7pm on Thursday until 8am Friday morning with “heavy rain spreading eastwards across the country”.
Met Éireann has warned of “difficult travelling conditions and localised flooding”.
It also said “outdoor activities could be severely impacted.”
Starting today, Tuesday, October 20, Ulster and east Leinster will remain dry, with the wettest weather in Connacht and Munster.
Storm Austen has been named after Austen H. Nagle (1903-1984) the first director of Irish Meteorological Service appointed in 1936.
Met Éireann forecast so far for Munster this week:
“On Wednesday night, showers will continue in Munster and south Leinster for a time and also along the west coast. It will become mainly dry overnight. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees with light southwesterly breezes.
“Thursday will start off mainly dry. However, heavy rain will develop in the southwest during the morning and will spread northeastwards to all areas through the afternoon, evening and early night with localised flooding possible, especially in Munster and Leinster. Highs of 10 to 13 degrees with moderate to fresh east to northeast winds.
“Thursday night will be wet with some heavy falls of rain, which will clear to the east overnight. Winds will veer strong and gusty northwesterly with lows of 5 to 8 degrees.
“Friday will be blustery with sunshine and showers and moderate to fresh northwesterly winds. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees.
“On Friday night, rain will move in from the west and will spread eastwards to all areas by morning along with strengthening southerly winds. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 8 degrees.
“Saturday will start off wet with rain in all areas. Rain will clear eastwards with showers following. It will become very windy with strong, gusty westerly winds and highest temperatures of 1 to 15 degrees.
“Sunday will be a cool breezy day with sunshine and showers and fresh, gusty westerly winds. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees.”