Met Éireann urges every home to prepare emergency supplies as Status Yellow wind warning comes into force at 2pm Saturday, covering entire Easter weekend with risk of flooding and disruption
Salthill floods and waves crash during a previous storm
Every household across Ireland is being advised to prepare a nine-item emergency kit ahead of Storm Dave’s arrival.
Met Éireann has taken the rare step of issuing a nationwide four-day weather advisory, spanning the entire Easter bank holiday weekend from Friday right through to Monday.
While conditions will stay changeable throughout due to what forecasters are calling a “very mobile Atlantic regime” and a “very active jet stream”, the most disruptive spell is anticipated on Saturday afternoon extending into the evening.
A separate Status Yellow wind warning covering all counties will take effect at 2pm on Saturday and stay in place until 11pm.
Throughout this time, there is a possibility of fallen trees and branches, wave overtopping, challenging travel conditions and loose debris being blown about, reports the Irish Mirror.
The national forecaster has cautioned, however, that conditions may yet alter. It stated: “The strongest of the winds will be in the northwest, with the possibility that changes in the forecast position and intensity of storm Dave, could lead to updates to the warnings, with the slight chance that Donegal could be upgraded to an orange level warning for a time.”
Storm Dave is currently developing in the Atlantic, which means uncertainty persists regarding how powerful it will ultimately become.
Clarifying the circumstances, Met Éireann explained the system will rapidly strengthen as it approaches Ireland, before continuing to intensify as it progresses towards Scotland. It stated: “Storm Dave will start to develop in the Atlantic to the southwest of Ireland on Friday night and will undergo rapid cyclogenesis as it tracks north eastwards along western and northwestern coasts later on Saturday.”
The forecasting service further noted that an additional area of low pressure near Iceland could usher in yet more blustery conditions heading into Monday.
Alongside powerful winds, Storm Dave is anticipated to bring torrential rain and a heightened risk of coastal flooding. This stems from a combination of spring tides, storm surge, high waves and strong onshore winds, which may result in wave overtopping in exposed areas.
Atlantic coastal counties are regarded as “particularly vulnerable”, most notably around high tide times.
Temperatures are also set to nosedive, with overnight lows dropping to 0C. There is a possibility of sleet, hail and even some snow on higher ground, particularly across the west and north.
Met Eireann said of Easter Sunday: “Some of the showers will fall as hail and with some sleet over higher ground… A little hill snow is possible early in the morning further north.”
Authorities are urging people to act immediately – including charging mobile phones and stocking up on essential supplies – ahead of the weather warning taking effect at 2pm on Saturday. With flooding potentially affecting certain areas, households are being encouraged to take preventative action. As part of the Irish Government’s Be Winter Ready initiative, Met Éireann advises preparing a flood plan and putting together an emergency kit beforehand.
The guidance states: “If you do live in an area at risk of flooding, you may be able to lessen the impact of a flood by taking the time to prepare in advance. Make a flood plan for your family or business so that everyone knows what to do and where to go in the event of a flood. Makeup a flood kit and ensure that everyone knows where to find it. Practice your flood plan. Ensure that everyone knows what has to be done and what is safe.”
Met Éireann suggests the following nine items for a household emergency kit:
TorchWarm and waterproof clothingBattery-powered or wind-up radioCharged mobile phoneRubber glovesRubber bootsFirst aid kitBlanketsChildren’s essentials, if required
Households are also urged to store vital documents such as passports and insurance papers in waterproof containers, and to keep emergency contact numbers readily available.
Residents should understand how to turn off gas and electricity, locate a safe spot to relocate vehicles if needed, and ensure medication is within easy reach.
You can read the full Be Winter Ready initiative here.
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