Met Éireann is an organisation not given to frightening people unnecessarily.
So, when it convenes meetings of its personnel about weather warnings it’s time we all took notice.
We need to look at what’s lying around the outside of the house with a view, especially, to anything which can be taken by the well flagged severity of Hurricane Ophelia.
Highly Offensive Weapons
Buckets, bins, patio tables, umbrellas and wheelbarrows and the like can all be highly offensive weapons in the grip of such severe weather conditions.
It’s to avoid confusion that such names are put on these hurricanes / storms.
Shakespearian Vein
But, continuing in a Shakespearian vein: I met three proud Culeen men in the Old Church Lane on Saturday. Pats Commane, Denis Cronin and Jimmy Mitchell are part of yet another lost generation.
Lost to emigration during times of difficulty in getting meaningful work here at home.
Pats spent most of his youth in America and is now settled back in Castleisland.
Denis and Jimmy were discussing when best to return to their adopted homes in England with a eye on the impending Hurricane Ophelia.
When Shall We Three Meet Again
As I took a photograph of them on the lane through which they all went to school and to sport and play. Then old Will hit me with his immortal: When Shall We Three Meet Again and the thoughts that struck me also saddened me.
Denis would be returning after the funeral of his father D.D. and Jimmy was on a brief visit home to visit him mom, our favourite Dub, Phylis Mitchell.
But that’s life and we all wished each other well, parted and went our own ways.
The Met Éireann Forecast
Today: Sunday will be mild and misty. Outbreaks of rain will be locally heavy in Atlantic coastal counties this morning, with just patchy drizzle elsewhere. Rain and drizzle will become fairly widespread this afternoon with a few heavier bursts occurring in parts. Top afternoon temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees. Fresh and gusty southerly winds, strong to near gale in western coastal areas at first this morning, will become northwesterly and ease through the course of the day.
Tonight: Further rain and drizzle tonight, with the rain turning persistent and heavy with a risk of thunder in Atlantic coastal counties. Winds will be generally light between northeast and southeast in direction at first, but become increasingly gusty northeasterly by dawn. Overnight lows of 7 to 9 degrees Celsius in northwestern areas, but ranging 10 to 14 degrees further south and east.
Tomorrow: Tomorrow Monday, stormy conditions are expected to develop, in association with Ex-Hurricane Ophelia. Rain will be widespread, with the heaviest falls likely to occur in Atlantic coastal counties, where there is a risk of thunder. At present, it looks as though gusty east to southeast winds will strengthen to storm force in the southwest by early afternoon, with strong gales developing along southern, eastern and some western coasts during the afternoon and evening. The winds will veer southwesterly as the low pressure system tracks northwards over western parts of the country. Flooding is threatened due to potentially heavy falls of rain and very high seas. Top temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees.
Additional Note: At present, the strongest and most damaging winds are now forecasted to affect Munster and south Leinster, particularly the southwest, south and Irish Sea coasts with the heaviest rainfall accumulations in Connacht, west Ulster and west Munster. There are likely to be changes to the warnings which will be updated later this morning, pending the latest up to date guidance. This is an evolving situation and your patience is appreciated.
Outlook for Monday night: Ex-Hurricane Ophelia will continue to track northwards on Monday night, exiting Irish coastal waters before midnight. Rain will gradually become confined to the west Connacht and west Ulster coasts and it will become dry in many parts with clear spells. Strong to gale force and gusty southwesterly winds will gradually abate.
Tuesday: A bright and mostly dry day, with sunny spells and just a few scattered showers. Winds will continue to moderate, mainly west to northwest, backing westerly. Top temperatures of 13 to 15 degrees. Tuesday night will be mainly dry, with a mix of cloud and clear spells and lows of 7 to 11 degrees.
Wednesday: Early on Wednesday morning, rain will develop in the southwest, and spread northeastwards across the country through the morning and will be heavy at times. It will clear eastwards in the afternoon and early evening. Highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees with moderate to fresh southerly winds, veering southwesterly.
Thursday: On Thursday, outbreaks of rain will develop over the southern half of the country, but it should remain dry further north.
Unsettled conditions are likely to continue through Friday and next weekend with further spells of rain or showers, but some drier and brighter interludes also.
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