Met Éireann warns of more storms

Met Éireann has issued two weather warnings with gusts of up to 120km/h forecast in the northwest of the State.

Met Éireann has issued two weather warnings with gusts of up to 120km/h forecast in the northwest of the State.

In Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, southwest to west winds will reach speeds of 60 to 75km/h with gusts of 90 to 120km/h, Met Éireann has predicted for this afternoon. The strongest winds will be in coastal areas, it said.

Winds of 45 to 60km/h with gusts of 60 to 90km/h are also forecast for the coastal counties of Connacht and Munster.

There will be gales or strong gales on all Irish coastal waters and the Irish sea, which will reach storm force in some areas this evening, Met Éireann has forecast.

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Driving conditions are a huge improvement on yesterday when spot flooding and high winds were widespread, AA Roadwatch has said.

AA Roadwatch said roads are calmer this morning with dry road surfaces. However it has warned of further gales later today.

There was excess surface water in Galway city this morning. Galway city remains on high alert after it was particularly badly hit by flash flooding yesterday. A number of business premises close to the Spanish Arch were flooded while others in the High Street, Flood Street, Cross Street and Quay Street areas had to use sandbags to prevent their premises being flooded.

There wass flooding on the N3 Cavan/Belturbet road while a fallen tree is partly blocking the Bodenstown/Sherlockstown Road on a bad bend in Co Kildare.

There is excess surface water on the N11 at Kilmacanogue while it is wet and blustery through Bray and Arklow, the organisation said. Cookstown Road in Enniskerry is closed because of a fallen tree. The tree will not be cleared until tomorrow morning.

AA Roadwatch has advised motorists travelling in windy conditions to be prepared for sudden gusts, to keep both hands on the wheel at all times, to drive at a modest speed and to allow a good gap between cars and give a wide berth to cyclists.

Yesterday’s weather brought swells and large waves for surfers in many parts of the west. Ten of the world’s elite windsurfers saw storm swells of up to eight metres as they took part in the Red Bull Storm Chase in Brandon Bay, Co Kerry yesterday.