Environment

Night to remain dry as yellow rainfall warning lifted

Wet weather expected to return return Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Soldiers helping to set up flood defences in Appleby as the British army has been called in to support efforts to protect flood-hit areas of Cumbria amid fears that more heavy rain will fall. Photograph: : 2LANCS/MoD Crown Copyright/PA

Sat Dec 26 2015 - 19:51

Dry conditions have been forecast for St Stephen’s night after a rainfall warning for many parts the south and east expired.

But Met Éireann has warned of heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday with particularly wet conditions expected across the country on Wednesday.

A yellow level alert had been issued on St Stephen's Day for Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry and Waterford which remained in place until 7pm on Saturday. Yellow is the lowest level of weather alert. AA Roadwatch has reported flooding on some roads, including in Co Carlow, Co Limerick and Co Louth.

Foreasters said 15mm to 25mm of rain was likely with areas on high ground expecting the heaviest rain over south Munster and south Leinster. However Ulster and Connacht were to remain dry.

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The ESB warned of rising water levels at Lough Derg due to high level of rainfall in the Shannon catchment area.

It has increased the volume of water downstream from Parteen Weir to 370 cumecs (cubic metres per second). This may resultt in flooding in Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick as a result.

Racing at Limerick Racecourse has been cancelled due to waterlogging. There will be another track inspection on Sunday

Heavy rain on Christmas Day brought flooding to roads in many parts of the country.

Severe flood warning in Britain

In Britain, severe flood warnings are in place prompting a vast operation that saw the army on the streets of Cumbria.

Five severe flood warnings have been issued for the North West as forecasters said up to 120mm of rain could fall in some areas already saturated by wave after wave of winter squalls.

A red weather warning, the most serious alert, for heavy rain and flooding in Lancashire was issued by the UK Met Office on St Stephen’s Day.

Some 115 flood alerts and 100 warnings were also issued by the UK's Environment Agency mainly for the north west, north east and Wales. The UK government's emergency Cobra committee met on Christmas Day.

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