Major Thunderstorm Alert: 3 Counties Face Flood Risk Today

UPDATE: A severe thunderstorm and rain warning has been issued for Dublin, Louth, and Meath as Met Eireann confirms a Status Orange alert due to the imminent risk of widespread surface flooding. This urgent warning takes effect from midnight on July 9, 2023, lasting until 2 PM today.

Residents in these areas should prepare for “very difficult” travel conditions, lightning damage, and significantly reduced visibility. The national forecast emphasizes that localised flooding could occur, impacting daily commuting and safety.

Additionally, a Status Yellow rain warning is active for Kildare, Wicklow, and Monaghan within the same timeframe. Met Eireann cautions that the forecasted rains tonight will be particularly heavy in eastern regions, with isolated thunderstorms possible, compounding the flooding risk.

Forecasters predict that Northern Ireland will also bear the brunt of the severe weather, with heavy rainfall expected from Sunday evening into Monday. Authorities warn that regions like Antrim, Armagh, and Down may experience up to 75mm of rain within a short period, equivalent to more than half a month’s average rainfall.

Simon Partridge, a forecaster with the UK Met Office, remarked, “Northern Ireland is likely to see the most impactful rainfall, with serious risks of flooding and dangerous driving conditions.”

The rainfall in Northern Ireland is expected to lead to power cuts and potentially cut off some communities due to flooded roads. The yellow-level thunderstorm warning is also in effect for the western half of Northern Ireland today between 12 PM and 8 PM.

In terms of the broader national outlook, Met Eireann indicates that Monday night will see remaining rain confined primarily to northeastern parts of Ulster, while the rest of Ireland will experience a mix of cloudy skies, clear spells, and isolated showers.

As the week progresses, the weather will remain variable, with Tuesday showing some drier intervals initially but turning showery by afternoon. Highs are anticipated to reach between 16 to 19 degrees, with temperatures dropping to 10 to 13 degrees at night.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing situation, as the weather poses significant risks to safety and travel across affected regions. Residents are urged to monitor local advisories and prepare accordingly.