MET ÉIREANN has issued a severe weather warning for today, with heavy rainfall and strong winds expected to affect all parts of the country.
The forecaster said the day would start off dry in many areas but that rain would first develop in the southwest before spreading to all areas by mid-afternoon, which could increase the risk of flooding in already waterlogged areas.
It was predicted that between 25mm and 40mm of rain could fall between yesterday evening and midnight tonight, and Met Éireann cautioned that south to southwest winds could reach speeds of 80 to 110kph.
These winds are expected to be strongest in exposed parts of the country such as the west and northwest.
Rough seas are also likely as a high tide warning is in place, as well as a chance of isolated thunderstorms developing over some areas of the country.
Pat Clarke of Met Éireann’s forecasting division said weather systems moving in from the Atlantic were likely to cause some seriously unsettled periods.
Mr Clarke said a storm depression was approaching Ireland and, even though it should not reach the country, it was likely to send plenty of wind and rain in our direction over the weekend.
“Rainfall of 20, 30 or 40mm would not usually cause much of a problem,” he said. “But considering where we are at the moment, with some areas flooded and because the water table is high, it has the potential to cause more difficulties.”
Met Éireann said tomorrow would be a blustery day with a mix of bright or sunny spells and heavy showers, which are expected to be most frequent in the west.
A band of rain is expected to spread across the country from the southwest on Monday morning and this could result in heavy showers in some places before clearing later in the day.
Householders and business people in Cork city were last night urged to protect their property after Cork City Council issued a flood alert for low-lying areas of the city centre for today.
The council said strong southeasterly winds combined with heavy rainfall forecast for today could combine with high tides to increase tide levels to over the natural level and lead to flooding.
“During the period of southeasterly winds, low barometric pressure and heavy rainfall and in particular if combined with the high tide periods, there is a danger of tidal flooding in the city. It is possible that flooding may occur in the low-lying areas of the city centre.”
Separately, Cork Lord Mayor Cllr Dara Murphy announced an initiative to co-ordinate the flood relief efforts of various charitable organisations.