Storm Amy Hits Ireland: Warnings in Place as Winds Surge

BREAKING: Storm Amy, the first named storm of the 2025/26 season, has made landfall in Ireland today, bringing with it severe weather warnings and potential hazards. Met Éireann has issued alerts for fallen trees, power outages, and perilous travel conditions across the country.

As of 12:00 PM today, all 26 counties of the Republic are under a Status Yellow wind warning, which will remain active until midnight. In Northern Ireland, a similar warning will be in effect starting at 2:00 PM and lasting until 12:00 PM tomorrow. Five counties—Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo—will experience heightened risk under a Status Orange wind warning from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM today, with winds reaching near gale to gale force.

Liz Walsh, operational forecaster at Met Éireann, cautioned, “Yesterday’s rainfall may have weakened tree roots, increasing the likelihood of falls in windy conditions.” The public is advised to exercise extreme caution while traveling, especially in the western and northwestern regions.

In a proactive response, James Browne TD convened the National Emergency Coordination Group today at Custom House to evaluate the country’s preparedness for the storm season.

UPDATE: As the storm intensifies, Walsh noted that it’s possible for today’s weather warnings to escalate to red alerts, particularly in Donegal and Mayo. “Weather doesn’t stop at county borders; a mere one-kilometer difference can shift conditions from orange to red,” she stated.

Marine warnings are also in effect, with a Status Yellow small craft warning across all coasts from 6:00 AM to midnight today. A Status Orange storm warning will take effect from 12:00 PM to midnight along the southern coasts, where winds could reach storm force 10. A Status Red storm warning will follow from 2:00 PM to 8:00 AM tomorrow, indicating potential winds of violent storm force 11. Walsh described these marine alerts as “rare and very dangerous,” urging those near the coast to stay away and prepare for severe conditions.

In light of the storm, Iarnród Éireann has canceled bridge replacement and coastal defense works scheduled for this weekend between Dun Laoghaire and Greystones. Full rail services will continue uninterrupted, but safety concerns prompted the rescheduling of this work to the weekend of November 1-2.

What’s fueling Storm Amy? Walsh explained that the storm originates from humid air currents coming from a tropical source, driven by a powerful jet stream across the Atlantic. This weather system is influenced by remnants of hurricanes Humberto and Imelda, with the latter still active. “The interplay of these systems has led to the formation of Storm Amy as it approaches Ireland,” she added.

The situation remains dynamic, and updates will follow as authorities continue to monitor the storm’s development. Stay tuned for real-time alerts and safety recommendations as Storm Amy progresses.