Wind and rain batters Ireland as Storm Chandra hits

Weather update from Met Éireann

Ireland is being hit by strong winds and heavy rain as Storm Chandra hits, with fears for flooding in already saturated areas.

The entire country came under a status yellow wind warning this morning at 3am and it doesn't expire until 11pm tonight.

Check out the progress of the storm here.

Meteorologist Rebecca Cantwell, says:

“Storm Chandra is a low-pressure system that will track northwards over the country Monday night and Tuesday, bringing with it rather wet and windy conditions. It will bring heavy spells of rain with strong winds, especially along the coast. It will slowly clear northwards later on Tuesday."

The rain is falling on already saturated ground. That, combined with the fact that many rivers are close to overflowing, means the county can expect "localised flooding and river flooding", according to Ms Cantwell.

Yellow level rainfall warnings are also in place for southeastern counties where the rain is expected to have the greatest impact.

Ms Cantwell is warning difficult travelling conditions. "We would urge people to keep that in mind when out and about."

She's urging people to "stay back from rivers, lakes and the coasts and avoid flooded roads, following the latest guidance from your local authority and road authorities.”

Storm Chandra is being caused by a strong polar front jet, as a result of the cold air outbreak over North America.

The weather system is forecast to meet a relatively cool airmass as it moves northwards across Ireland, with a chance of falls of sleet over higher ground in the north and northwest in the morning.

Rain will clear northwards and will be followed by a brief period of drier and brighter weather before the same system swings back around and feeds further outbreaks of rain up over the country.

The flood risk will persist from Wednesday into Thursday due to continued forecast rainfall and slow drainage from saturated ground.