Midlands expected to escape worst excesses of Storm Lorenzo

According to the latest weather update from Met Éireann, it looks like the Midlands may escape the brunt of the impending Storm Lorenzo, which is expected to batter parts of the country with wind speeds in excess of 130km/h and torrential rain as it makes landfall in Ireland tomorrow, Thursday.

A yellow wind warning, which is the lowest category of warning, has been put in place for the whole country from tomorrow morning (Thursday) at 8am until Friday at 6am with mean wind speeds of 50km/h and gusts of up to 100km/h expected, resulting in some disruption.

A yellow rainfall warning has also been put in place between 9am tomorrow and 9am on Friday.

A status orange wind warning has been put in place for counties along the Western seaboard.

However, Head of Forecasting with Met Éireann, Evelyn Cusack, has said the fact that a yellow weather warning is in place does not mean there is no risk associated with the approaching storm.

With the ground satured from recent heavy rain and the leaves still on the trees, Ms. Cusack said there are greater risks of falling trees and spot flooding right across the country and she has urged members of the public to take particular care, especially in coastal areas.

Housing Minister, Eoghan Murphy, who heads up the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, has asked everyone to heed any warnings issued, and said he expects that most people will be indoors when the worst excesses of Storm Lorenzo are expected to hit tomorrow night.

The Minister added that the storm will have an "unpredictable impact" on Ireland but flooding and power outages are likely, while Met Éireann say they do not expect the current weather warnings to be upgraded.

She added that Lorenzo will bring "violent storm force winds" for a time tomorrow evening, with some coastal flooding and coastal damage likely, and there will also be heavy rain and thunderstorms with lightning.