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LAST UPDATE | 7 Dec 2019
THE GOVERNMENT HAS today urged the public to avoid visiting a number of national parks and nature reserves ahead of the arrival of Storm Atiyah.
A Status Orange wind warning is currently in place for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Kerry and Limerick with Status Yellow wind and rain warning is in place for the remainder of the counties.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said it is advising the public not to visit any national parks, national monuments or nature reserves whilst the Status Orange is in place.
The following parks and nature reserves will be closed tomorrow:
A spokesperson said: “The NPWS would ask the public for their ongoing cooperation on this matter by not entering these sites for the duration of these weather warnings. Further updates will be provided as the weather forecast becomes clearer and/or as Met Éireann weather advisory notices are updated – see www.meteireann.ie for weather warning and updates.”
The storm is expected to generate very strong winds across the country with southwesterly winds reaching speeds of 65 to 80km/h with gusts from 110 to 130km/h.
High seas of between 10 and 12 metres are expected along western coasts between Mizen Head and Erris Head, with the possibility of coastal flooding.
Cork County Council has put response crews on standby with “the main impact of Storm Atiyah to include fallen trees and possibly structural damage from high winds, and coastal flooding caused by the storm surge”.
“Driving conditions may be hazardous with surface flooding possible. Motorists are reminded to take additional care and be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians.”
Temperatures in the afternoon will be 6 or 7 degrees (higher at coasts) with little change in temperature overnight on Sunday.
The Road Safety Authority is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads during the stormy period. They ask motorists to beware of objects blowing onto the road and to reduce speed.
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Healy Rae’s out
@Rebecca De Stanleigh: Ah now Rebecca .. you know the Journal don’t allow comments on those fellas.
@Logan Shepherd: I’ve heard there’s a couple of lads in Kerry shouting “This is MY island!” at the storm.
Could be a connection.
@Cormac Laffan: imagine giving a reference for these guys ” this is the way it should be handled”. Thanks be to god for a judge with cop on.
The happy pear have got their Speedos on already
It’s getting cosy! Love a good storm
Ah these warnings about storms normally amount to f cuk all, Met Eireann are a shambles
@Sean71: but every other Met service in Europe issues storm and weather warnings , so you are saying they are all “shambles” ?
@Sean71: Why don’t you start doing a weather report seeing as you know so much about it.
@Sean71: They are pretty helpful when you work outdoors.
@Sean71: please do tell us what a yellow weather warning means.
@Sean71: no they are not. They are very professional, unlike you, ya clueless lump.
@Sean71: damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Better to be safe and wrong than the alternative. Chill boss. It’s only weather.
@Sean71: massive fail there mister.
@Sean71: Surely our Met Service will always err on the side of caution when calculating the risk of an approaching severe weather event. After all, peoples lives are at risk. Would you prefer that they wait until the storm is 10miles offshore before issuing a warning?
What direction is it coming from, Qatar?
Brexit is to blame
@Noel Donohue: Nah..Its the Brits..the aul fallback position..
I just checked the (extremely reliable) Norwegian weather service, and all they are forecasting is a strong breeze.
https://www.yr.no/place/Ireland/Connacht/Galway/
What ever the weather is in our back garden is what it is for the rest of the country. For more accurate than met.ie
Probably a convoy of (fool)hardy bucks and their surf boards on the way to the West coast already.
@Dermot Browne:
Why? Surfers have been chasing storms on the west coast for years. Did it myself when I was younger.
Just return to your armchair and your pipe and slippers.
@Ger Healy: if you’re foolish enough to ignore all of the warnings and risk your life, don’t risk others who will be called out to rescue.
Orange warning is for Cork too!!
Sack the useless forcasters
What do you call a Kerryman under a wheelbarrow?
A mechanic.
have your say