1 week Ago By Jodie McCormack
A WEATHER expert has revealed the "biggest issue" ahead of this weekend's storm risk. The forecast looks as though a storm may batter Ireland over the weekend with 'heavy rain', strong winds and thunderstorms. Posting an update Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather warned one area of the country will be hit particularly bad by the heavy downpours.
He said: "A band of heavy rain will move across the country on Friday, very windy on Friday as well. "It will move quite quickly across the country so it will vary a little bit. "Rainfall totals over the next five days will be highest in the west.
" The weather expert also revealed that the wind looks set to be the "biggest issue" as stormy weather rolls in. He warned: "The wind is really going to be the probably biggest issue. "We have very windy weather here Friday but then Saturday night into Sunday this potential storm, the weather models are showing a very complex and messy system with two low centres really bringing some very strong gusts across the country.
" However he did add "it's not certain where they'll hit" but warned: "Very high seas associated with that as well." Met Eireann have issued a status yellow marine warning for Friday warning for gale force winds. The warning is in place from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Fair Head with winds reaching gale force eight at times.
And the weather expert revealed "if" the storm is named by weather bosses, it will be our first Storm Ashley. Before rocky conditions hit, today will see some sunny spells mixed with scattered showers. Met Eireann do warn some of these may be "heavy" but will clear away for a bright and sunny afternoon.
Highest temperatures today will sit between 13C to 16C before dropping slightly to 7C to 10C tonight. A mostly dry start to the night will take a turn as cloud builds bringing rain as winds are also set to increase overnight. And for Friday Met Eireann warn of "wet and blustery" conditions with coastal flooding risk.
They said: "Wet and blustery on Friday with outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards across the country, turning heavy or thundery in places. "Fresh to strong southerly winds will accompany the rain and, with very high spring tides continuing, there will be a risk of coastal flooding. "A clearance to bright spells and isolated showers will move into the western half of the country during the evening.
Highest temperatures of 14C to 16C." And the weather bosses have warned of "unsettled conditions" as the stormy weekend kicks off. They said: "Unsettled conditions are continuing into the weekend with some further wet and windy weather on the way.
"Very high spring tides will bring an ongoing risk of coastal flooding, even in the absence of heavy rain and strong winds." Rain will clear overnight on Friday before returning on Saturday evening. Cloud will thicken throughout the day on Saturday with temperatures of 11C to 14C.
Saturday night will see further stormy conditions develop with "strong" winds and "widespread" "heavy rain". Met Eireann warned: "Becoming wet and windy with strong and gusty southerly winds and widespread rain, heavy at times. Lowest temperatures of 8C to 11C.
" Some of this rain will clear for a time early on Sunday before returning that evening with strong winds prevailing..
