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WEATHER WARNINGS ARE taking effect around the country today, including Status Orange wind warning for five counties, as Storm Kathleen hits Ireland.
Storm Kathleen, which is only the third named storm to occur in the month of April since the naming system began in the 2015/16 storm season, is expected to bring strong wind and rainfall across much of the country today.
A Status Orange wind warning took effect at 7am for Cork, Kerry and Waterford, where Met Éireann is cautioning of the risk of difficult travel conditions, fallen trees, power outages, coastal flooding and wave overtopping. The warning is due to expire at 2pm.
A second Orange wind warning is scheduled from 9am to 6pm for Galway and Mayo, which are also at particular risk of experiencing the negative impacts of the storm.
The entire country has been under a Status Yellow wind warning since 5am that is due to remain in place until 8pm nationwide.
The UK Met Office has similarly issued a Yellow wind warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry from 8am until 10pm.
Crisis management team
Met Éireann and the crisis management team of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) had a technical briefing yesterday morning to assess possible impacts from Storm Kathleen.
Deputy Head of Forecasting Liz Coleman cautioned anyone travelling during the last weekend of the Easter holidays to be aware of the “unseasonably strong and gusty winds”.
“Please make sure to plan your journeys in advance by keeping in contact with the forecast,” she said.
“We are likely to see some trees down due to the saturated soils and strong winds. There will be dangerous conditions at sea too, coupled with wave overtopping and coastal flooding in some areas.”
The Road Safety Authority has urged road users to take caution if travelling during the storm.
⚠️ Yellow Weather Warning – Wind ⚠️
— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) April 4, 2024
📍 Ireland
📆 Sat 6, 7am – 8pm
Very strong and gusty southerly winds associated with Storm Kathleen. Possible impacts:
• Some fallen trees
• Difficult travel conditions
• Debris, loose objects displaced
• Some coastal flooding #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/8DxdpASx3o
Met Éireann has outlined that Storm Kathleen “will increase water levels on all coasts as we approach a period of spring tides”.
“This will result in strong coastal winds, a rough sea state and significant waves. Coastal flooding and wave overtopping is likely, especially at times of high tide.
“The rain associated with Storm Kathleen will fall on already saturated ground, therefore water will make its way quickly into the rivers. Cumulative rainfall totals could lead to elevated river levels in western and southwestern areas.”
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RIP Johnny, You and The Horslips are the reason my band, Cruachan, exist! A legend, you’ll be sorely missed.
@Keith Fay: and Cruachán is a fantastic band..easy knowing The Horslips were a guide.
Irish guitar God! Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam!
Dearg Doom. Possibly the most recognisable Irish intro ever.
Ahh Jaysus that’s so sad, we all know the intro to Dearg Doom but his brilliant playing in Furniture The Snakes Farewell to the Emerald Isle and many others were so brilliantly haunting. He’s up there with Rory and Gary and sadly missed. RIP Johnny
One of the greatest. A very sad day. RIP Johnny
Sad day for Irish music , grew up with Horslips in the 70s , had the privelige of seeing them live in 77 , RIP Johnny .
Gutted, such a talent and a great loss. RIP Johnny
Sad to hear this. Saw Johnny and the boys many times growing up in Limerick, always a top show down at the Savoy. In that era he’d come out on his own for a solo, blast away on the Gibson and end it with an intro to Dearg Doom as the band kicked in and the crowd erupted. Remember him asking for a cigarette too once from stage and a virtual shower of them were thrown up for him. Different times, Horslips paved a path for so many that came after. Rock on Nightgown Boy.
Gutted. Ireland’s finest guitarist by a mile and easily among the best in the world. I’ll be waiting was an absolute gem…
Brilliant guitarist, will be sadly missed. I was so lucky to see them live a couple of times in the late seventies. Irish rock was so amazing. We had rory, lizzy, horslips on top of the world .
I am blessed I was able to bring my sons to see them in the 02 reunion tour.
Johnny and the boys rocked that night.
I loved Johnny’s playing. He was an integral part of what, for me, was Ireland’s best ever band. Back in the day, I travelled to see them on my Kawasaki whenever they played within a hundred miles of home. So many brilliant sounds, and absolutely loved the reunion gigs in 2009 (I think). Sincere sympathy to his family and fellow band members. May he rest in peace.
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