Wind and snow warnings issued for Northern Ireland as Storm Ciara approaches
You might want to rethink your weekend plans ⚠️💨 🌧️❄️
Severe gales are on the cards this weekend as the next unsettled spell of wintry weather is due to sweep in.
An intense deep area of low pressure, which has now been named Storm Ciara, is being watched closely by meteorologists.
The Met Office has issued two separate yellow warnings for blustery conditions and snow showers.
According to forecasters; "Very strong winds are likely through Saturday evening and early Sunday across Northern Ireland. Expect gusts of 50 to 60 mph across inland areas, with 70-80 mph possible around exposed coasts and hills."
Coastal communities may be hit by spray or large waves, and delays to road, rail and air traffic is expected.
The adverse weather could impact weekend sporting fixtures and travel plans.
The first warning comes into effect from 12:00 Saturday lasting through until 23:59 Sunday.
A separate warning has been issued for a further spell of windy weather and snow to start the new working week.
According to The Met Office; "Frequent and heavy snow showers will affect parts of Northern Ireland throughout Monday and at first on Tuesday. Snow showers will mainly be over high ground. Slight accumulations of 1 to 3 cm above 150 metres and 5-10 cm above 300 metres. Strong winds will lead to blizzard conditions at times. Frequent lightning strikes are also possible, perhaps leading to interruptions to power supplies."
NORTHERN IRELAND FOUR/FIVE DAY FORECAST
Friday - A dry and bright start, but cloud thickening from the west with some patchy light rain. The rain then becoming heavier and more persistent in the evening. Strong coastal winds. Maximum temperature 8 °C.
Further Outlook - Very unsettled, although a bright start to Saturday. Winds will become gale or severe gale force at times with periods of heavy rain. Colder with heavy wintry showers on Monday.
STORM NAMES FOR THE 2019/2020 SEASON
Storms are named by the Met Office or, in Ireland, Met Eireann, in order to raise public awareness of approaching bad weather.
In September, the Met Office and Met Éireann unvealed a list of the names of this seasons storms.
First introduced in 2015, this is the fourth year they have jointly run the ‘Name our Storms’ scheme, aimed at raising awareness of severe weather before it hits.
The first storm was ‘male’ and named Ali, while the second storm will be ‘female’ and named Bronagh, following the alternating male/female pattern established by the US National Hurricane Center in the 1970s.