Ireland has been hit by double storms this week - and it’s not over yet.
Today will see sleet, snow, rain and strong winds with Met Eireann warning of "hazardous conditions".
However, Sunday is set to be even worse and will turn very windy, with one weather expert predicting it could be “worse than Storm Eunice” for parts of Ireland.
Alan O’Reilly wrote on his Carlow Weather Twitter account: “I’m afraid the latest weather models increase the impacts of bad weather tomorrow with very strong gusts and heavy rain. The Northwest and West will take the brunt of the winds.
“The impacts of Sunday’s weather will be worse than storm Eunice for the northwest and parts of the West as they escaped Friday but they won’t escape Sunday. All areas will see some very poor weather tomorrow and tomorrow night so take care if planning outdoor activities.”
He predicted that Met Eireann’s weather warnings will likely be updated.
“Keep an eye on weather warnings as likely to be updated based on latest charts,” he said.
There are several weather warnings already in place for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
For Saturday, a nationwide Status Yellow snow and ice warning is in place until 10am, while a separate Yellow alert rain warning has been issued for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo from 4pm until 4pm Sunday.
That alert reads: “Persistent rain followed by heavy showers will lead to localised flooding in places.”
A Status Yellow wind warning has been issued for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo on Sunday from 9am until 9am Monday.
“Very strong westerly winds are expected on Sunday and Monday. Coastal flooding is possible in places,” Met Eireann said.
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Overall, it’s set to be a miserable day today.
Giving its latest forecast, Met Eireann said: “Icy stretches and wintry falls on Saturday morning leading to some hazardous conditions. Rain this morning falling as sleet or snow in places over the northern half of the country. Scattered showers and some bright spells with milder air is following from the southwest as rain clears northeastwards.
“Breezy, with fresh to strong westerly winds developing. Another spell of rain and drizzle will spread from the west later this afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures will range between 5C and 10C from north to south.
“A wet night with widespread outbreaks of rain, rain heavy in the north and west with localised flooding possible. Turning increasingly windy tonight too with southwest winds increasing strong, especially on Atlantic coasts.
“Cold initially in the northeast with lows of 1C to 5C there, however milder air will spread from southern areas with temperatures rising overnight to between 7C and 10C.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow, which has been predicted to be “worse than Storm Eunice” for parts of Ireland, Met Eireann wrote on its website: “Sunday will be wet and very windy with strong to near gale force southwest winds.
“Rain will be heavy at times leading to localised flooding. Rain will clear southeastwards to frequent showers through the afternoon, some heavy with possible hail.
“There will be very strong gusts during the afternoon across the western half of the country as winds veer westerly, with very high seas also. Mild during the morning and early afternoon with highest temperatures of 9C to 11C, however it will turn much colder from the northwest after rain clears.
“Remaining very windy overnight with very strong gusts in the west and northwest. Scattered showers, some heavy with hail, most frequent in the northwest with limited clear spells.
“Some showers of sleet or snow possible on high ground. Lowest temperatures of 1C to 5C with temperatures increasing before dawn.”
The National Forecaster said next week is set to continue unsettled with more windy conditions.
