Forecaster pinpoints when Storm Dave will hit Leitrim hardest
Storm Dave is expected to bring very strong southerly winds to Leitrim from Saturday afternoon, with forecasters warning conditions may worsen and the current yellow alert could yet be upgraded.
Storm Dave is set to lash Leitrim from tomorrow, April 4, with national broadcaster Met Éireann warning of very strong southerly winds, and a meteorologist cautioning that the county will experience significant gusts.
The warning may be upgraded from yellow, as Met Éireann has said the winds associated with Storm Dave will be at the “stronger end of yellow.”
Possible impacts of the storm include fallen trees and branches, wave overtopping, difficult travelling conditions, debris and loose objects being displaced, and power outages.
Storm Dave is set to take effect from 1pm on Saturday, April 4, with the weather warning remaining in place until 2am on Sunday, April 5.
Leitrim is certain to feel the effects of the storm, as the strongest winds are expected in the northwest, and the system will bring wet weather as well as high winds.
Gerry Murphy, Senior Forecaster with Met Éireann, spoke on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland about the incoming storm.
“It’s going to generate very strong southerly winds. The second half of Saturday is going to be very windy,” said Mr Murphy.
“The northwest will get the strongest winds in the evening… it’s going to be windy everywhere… in the evening the winds will be strong and gusty in counties Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Derry and Antrim,” he added.
Sunday, April 5 will be breezy for a time, with sunshine and scattered showers. The weather will also be cooler, and some of the showers will fall as hail, with some sleet over higher ground, especially in the west and north.
People travelling long journeys for Easter should check weather and road conditions not only where they are starting from, but also at their destination and along their route, as conditions may vary significantly.
Power outages across the county are likely, and ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can also monitor outages and estimated restoration times as they happen on PowerCheck.ie.