Met Eireann have issued a Status Orange warning for Friday 23rd for Ireland and the North West in particular as Storm Barbara hits the country.
This category Orange level weather warning is for weather conditions which have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas.
The issue of an Orange level weather warning implies that all recipients in the affected areas should prepare themselves in an appropriate way for the anticipated conditions.
The following is the Met Eireann forecast issued 21st December at 5.15am:
Thursday night will be mainly dry. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees, coldest in the early night. Southerly winds will strengthen overnight and rain will develop in the west.
Friday will be wet and very windy with strong, gusty southerly winds. Winds will be strongest in coastal counties of Connacht and Ulster with a risk of stormy conditions near coasts bringing severe or damaging gusts. Heavy rain will spread eastwards with spot flooding possible in places. The rain will clear in the afternoon with showers following from the west. Winds will veer westerly, but will continue strong and gusty. They’ll gradually ease in the evening and early night. Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees.
Christmas Eve will be mild and breezy. The morning will be dry apart from a few showers. However rain will spread from the southwest through the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 12 or 13 degrees with moderate to fresh southwest winds. The night will be mild and blustery with rain at times and with fresh, gusty southwest winds.
Christmas Day will be mild, breezy and mostly cloudy with patchy rain during the day and with heavier rain spreading eastwards in the evening and early night. Highest temperatures of 12 or 13 degrees with fresh southwest breezes. Colder, drier weather will follow overnight.
St Stephens Day will be cold, bright and breezy with scattered showers in the west and north. Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees with moderate westerly breezes.
The following few days look like being cold and mainly dry with frost at night.
