Storm Austin Ireland: Orange Rain Warning Issued for Six Counties

A weather warning has been issued across the Republic of Ireland ahead of Storm Austin’s arrival from the Atlantic on Thursday.

Storm Austin to bring heavy rain and disruption

The storm is expected to reach Ireland’s south coast on Thursday evening and continue into Friday morning, bringing a risk of flooding, travel disruption and potentially dangerous conditions.

Six counties have been placed under Ireland’s second-highest, orange warning for rain:

• Cork
• Dublin
• Kerry
• Waterford
• Wexford
• Wicklow

Ireland’s Met Office warned of possible flooding, disruption to public transport and very difficult driving conditions.

Nationwide yellow weather warning

A nationwide yellow warning for rain and winds is also in place from 7pm local time on Thursday until 10am local time on Friday.

There are currently no warnings for Northern Ireland. However, Storm Austin is expected to bring widespread rain on Thursday night before clearing eastwards on Friday morning.

More unsettled weather expected

Storm Austin is unlikely to mark the end of the unstable weather. Another low-pressure system is expected to move north of Ireland next weekend, potentially bringing further wet and windy conditions across the island.

The exact impact of the second weather system remains uncertain, but its arrival means conditions could stay variable and potentially destructive for several days.