Storm Chandra set to lash Ireland as Met Éireann issues warnings for flooding and gales

Ireland is bracing for a spell of severe and disruptive weather as Storm Chandra tracks close to the country, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and hazardous travel conditions according to Met Éireann.

The UK Met Office officially named Storm Chandra, which is Ireland’s third this season.

Forecasters say Tuesday is shaping up to be the most impactful day, warning that bands of rain linked to Storm Chandra will be “heavy and persistent”, with rainfall falling on already saturated ground.

Met Éireann has warned that this combination is likely to lead to localised flooding, river flooding and difficult travel conditions.

A Status Yellow rain warning has been issued for Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford from midnight until 11pm on Tuesday, with forecasters highlighting the risk of flooding as rain continues through much of the day.

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Alongside the rain, Met Éireann has also issued a Status Yellow wind warning covering Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford from 5am until 11pm on Tuesday.

Winds associated with Storm Chandra are expected to be “very strong and gusty”, particularly along exposed and coastal areas.

Possible impacts include fallen trees and loose debris, wave overtopping and hazardous travel conditions, with forecasters urging people to take care especially when travelling.

In its national forecast, Met Éireann said Monday will be “dull, wet and breezy”, with rain becoming widespread during the morning and turning heavy at times. A clearance is expected to develop later in the day in the southwest and west, but forecasters warned it will remain dull and wet elsewhere.

Tonight will bring little relief, with cloud thickening again overnight as rain spreads from the east and turns heavy at times, while winds strengthen, with gales developing along coasts by morning.

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Conditions are expected to worsen further on Tuesday. Met Éireann said it will be “wet and windy to begin”, with widespread rain that may even turn wintry for a time on higher ground in the north and northwest. While there may be some brighter breaks briefly, further spells of rain are expected to spread back across the country.

Forecasters warned that the rain will be particularly persistent in the south and east, and when combined with already saturated ground, will once again bring a risk of flooding. Winds will be fresh to strong or near gale force, with the strongest gusts along eastern and southern coasts.

Looking further ahead, Met Éireann says the country remains stuck in an “unsettled regime”, with further showers or longer spells of rain expected through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and only limited brighter intervals at times.

Temperatures will remain cool, generally between 6 and 10 degrees, with no clear sign of settled conditions returning this week.