More rain on the way as Met Office issues yellow warning to expect '55-65 mph' gusts tomorrow
Here we go again... 💨🌀🍂🍃
Last updated 17th Dec 2018
Hold on to your hats, there's more rain and wind on the way.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for blustery conditions as another deep area of low pressure is expected hit disrupting travel across Northern Ireland tomorrow morning.
Wind gusts could be strong enough to generate the fifth named storm of the season – Storm Erik.
According to forecasters; "A brief spell of wet and windy weather is expected early Tuesday, especially in the east during the morning rush hour, 15-30 mm of rainfall could fall widely. The windiest weather will be during rush hour, expect gusts of 55-65 mph in exposed spots."
The north and east are expected to bear the brunt of the strongest winds.
The adverse weather could impact travel plans.
"Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible. Some roads and bridges may close."
"There are likely to be branches and trees down - and some structural damage is possible. Power cuts may occur."
"Driving will be dangerous at times, especially when combined with heavy downpours."
The warning comes into effect from 03:00 Tuesday lasting through until 09:00
In September Storm Ali wreaked havoc across Northern Ireland. Fallen trees left thousands of homes without power and lead to school closures and one fatality.
NORTHERN IRELAND FOUR DAY FORECAST
Monday - Frosty start, clouding over with patchy rain in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11°C.
Tuesday - Heavy rain and windy at first, rain soon clearing away to the east with brighter skies and some sunshine following. Maximum temperature 8°C.
Wednesday - Mainly overcast, sunshine and showers. Maximum temperature 10°C.
Thursday - Sunshine and showers, partly cloudy. Maximum temperature 10°C.
STORM NAMES FOR THE 2018/2019 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.