No weather warnings are yet in place for County Roscommon as the country prepares for Storm Agnes, but wet and windy weather is forecast for all parts of Ireland including the county today Wednesday.
Status Orange wind warnings will come into place from 9am until 5pm for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford with a Status Orange rain warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford.
A Status Yellow wind warning is in place since 7am for all of Leinster, Munster and Galway along with a Status Yellow rain warning for Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Waterford
Met Eireann’s forecast for Connacht issued at 6am reads: Becoming wet and quite windy with strong southeast winds, easing for a time this afternoon before veering westerly and strengthening once again this evening. Heavy rain will develop this morning, clearing northeastwards to showers through the evening. Highest temperatures of 14 to 16 degrees.
The Road Safety Authority has issued the following advice is being given to motorists for driving in bad weather:
- Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
- Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles, as they generate a considerable amount of spray, which reduces your visibility. Hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
- If the road ahead is flooded, choose another route. Do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
- Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
- After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes.
- Be Safe. Be Seen. Drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users.
- Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected.
- Watch out for falling / fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
- Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
- Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
- Drive with dipped headlights at all times.
