Deirdre O Meara 
Met Éireann issues new Status Yellow wind warning for Cork and other parts of Munster, followed by even more turbulent weather tomorrow. The warning will be in place from 3pm to 9pm today along the East Coast, affecting Cork and Waterford in Munster, with forecasters expecting powerful westerly winds. A second warning is set to kick in from 1am on Wednesday. The second Yellow wind warning for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, and Mayo will be in place up to 5pm tomorrow, with Met Éireann warning of “Very strong west to northwest winds developing. Widespread gusts of between 90 and 110 km/h expected, stronger in coastal areas and over higher ground. Wave overtopping in coastal areas.” A further Status Orange Storm Warning was issued off the coast from 3am through to 1pm tomorrow. There’ll be strong west to northwest winds hitting storm force 10 at times on Irish waters, ranging from Roche’s Point to Loop Head to Rossan Point.
A major Atlantic storm system is barrelling towards Ireland and if it was to make landfall, it would be Storm Antoni and the first big one of the year. This morning saw grey clouds spreading across Munster with occasional light showers hitting Cork. Rain in the southwest is expected to spread northwards and become widespread by early afternoon with heavy downpours expected across the Rebel County later this evening.
Met Éireann says, “Rain will become widespread during this morning. There will be heavy downpours in places during the afternoon and early evening. A clearance to showers will follow later. Blustery with fresh southerly winds. Very windy for a time later this afternoon and evening with winds increasing strong and gusty, and veering west. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees. Blustery at first tonight with strong winds along western coasts of Munster. Becoming very windy overnight with strong or very strong westerly winds, and gales developing along Atlantic coasts. Clear spells and scattered heavy showers. Outbreaks of heavy rain will spread from the west overnight. Isolated thunderstorms are possible. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees.
Very windy on Wednesday with very strong and gusty northwest winds. Mostly cloudy with spells of rain, heavy at times with local downpours. Becoming drier and brighter in the afternoon and evening but remaining windy. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees.”
The weather warning is in place for a large part of the country, and people are being advised to take extra precautions. Coastal areas are expected to be hit the hardest, with wave overtopping a possibility. The public is being advised to stay away from exposed coastal areas and not to engage in water-based activities.
The Irish Coast Guard has also issued a warning to the public to avoid exposed beaches, cliffs, piers, and harbours during the storm. They have advised people to stay back, stay high, and stay dry. The Coast Guard has also warned boat owners to ensure their vessels are properly secured and to check their moorings in advance of the storm.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has urged motorists to take extra care on the roads during the storm. They have advised drivers to slow down, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, and to be aware of the risk of aquaplaning on wet roads. The RSA has also reminded people to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and to check their tyres, brakes, lights, and wipers before setting off on a journey.
In addition to the weather warnings, Irish Water has also issued a warning to the public to conserve water during the storm. They have advised people to avoid unnecessary water usage, such as washing cars or watering gardens, and to check for leaks in their homes.
The storm is expected to cause travel disruption, with delays and cancellations likely on public transport services. Irish Rail has warned that there may be delays and cancellations on train services, particularly in coastal areas. Bus Éireann has also advised passengers to check their website and social media channels for updates on services.
In conclusion, the people of Ireland are being advised to take extra precautions during the storm, particularly in coastal areas. The public is being urged to stay away from exposed coastal areas, to avoid water-based activities, and to take care on the roads. Motorists are being advised to slow down, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, and to check their vehicles before setting off on a journey. Irish Water has also issued a warning to conserve water during the storm, and public transport services may be disrupted.
