Storm Darragh is developing into a "dangerous and very impactful" weather event that will hit Ireland on Friday night and Saturday morning.
Met Éireann has issued a series of status-red warnings for some coastal counties over the next 24 hours with extremely strong gusts of more than 130km/h expected.
A red weather warning is the highest level of alert issued by Met Éireann. It is rarely issued but when it is, people in the affected areas should take action to protect themselves and their properties.
Below you can view the latest forecast for wind gusts across the country, along with details of each of the red weather alerts issued by Met Éireann.
Mayo, Clare and Galway: Red warning
The first red warnings will come into place in counties Mayo, Clare and Galway at 9pm on Friday night.
Met Éireann said extremely strong and gusty northwest winds could lead to fallen trees, damage to power lines, dangerous travelling conditions, structural damage and wave overtopping.
In Clare and Galway the warning will expire at 2am on Saturday, while in Mayo it will last for another hour until 3am.
Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim – Red warning
The red warning in counties Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim starts at 10pm on Friday night.
Met Éireann said these counties will be hit with strong north-westerly winds, which is more unusual in terms of the combination of such strength and wind direction. This means extra care should be taken.
Vulnerable trees and structures that may normally be sheltered from typical storms could be more exposed to the strong winds this time around.
The alert will last until 3am on Saturday.
Wicklow – Red warning
The red warning in Co Wicklow will begin at 1am on Saturday.
Irish Sea coasts will experience very strong winds overnight as the storm moves across the country and towards Britain.
Met Éireann said there is a risk of fallen trees, damage to power lines, dangerous travelling conditions and structural damage.
The warning will last for five hours until 6am on Saturday.
Rest of Ireland – Orange warning
The rest of the island will be under orange warnings, beginning at 8pm in Munster and Connacht, before covering Ulster and Leinster from 10pm.
Met Éireann said the orange alerts should not be underestimated as it means gusts of up to 130km/h. This wind strength is infrequent and dangerous and can also pose a threat to life and property.
The orange warnings will expire at 10am on Saturday.
The UK Met Office has an amber level warning covering the North from 1am until 9pm on Saturday.
#StormDarragh will bring strong and potentially damaging winds across the UK 🌬️
In the west, winds will quickly strengthen as the low centre tracks across the UK
Stay up to date with the latest warnings 👇 https://t.co/fLgrLPEwWO pic.twitter.com/Ct8cVAg6OC
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 6, 2024
How to stay safe
Met Éireann meteorologist Liz Walsh urged people to be prepared and take action ahead of the storm.
“Storm Darragh will be a significant and impactful weather event,” she said. “Strong winds are expected across all parts of the Island. The most intense and damaging gusts are expected to occur tonight and early Saturday morning, especially in, but not limited to, the areas under red warning alerts.
“Red warnings are issued when rare and very dangerous weather conditions are expected. We ask people to follow the instructions and advice given by the authorities and be prepared; take action and secure any loose objects ahead of the storm and plan your journeys safely, especially if you need to be out on Saturday morning as there could be trees or power lines down.
“There will also be heavy rain associated with Storm Darragh which may lead to some localised flooding, along with hazardous travelling conditions.”
