Storm Ciara Update

It’s not just a busy weekend of weather across the country its also a bust weekend of festivities and of course on Saturday there is the small matter of a general election to contest.

It seems as though our weather wishes to remain centre stage as we head into the weekend, with very unsettled weather condtions likely during Saturday, especially so during the Afternoon as Storm Ciara approaches.

For those of you planning to vote the best time to do so is likely to be in the morning before 10:00 as winds will really pick up from the late morning onwards, accompanied by some heavy squally rain as well.

Southeastern areas may remain dry for a good deal of the early afternoon, but northwestern and western areas in particular will see some heavy falls of rain throughout the day with a risk of spot flooding.

Meanwhile the Opening Ceremony to celebrate Galway being the European Capital of Culture 2020 kicks of at 6pm on Saturday evening. The free outdoor event is expected to be a fantastic spectacle, but the weather may again cause some issues.

Between 6-8:30 at least there appears to be heavy rain within the area as a frontal system passes over the west of the country. Winds will also be strong and gusty for a time, especially so towards the start of the festival.

Conditions will calm down shortly after 8:30 or 9:00 as the associated rain bands clear away eastwards and the winds fall back somewhat also. Overall however conditions will be far from ideal.

Further updates to follow….

Kindest regards,
Cathal Nolan