Saturday To Bring Worst 'Weather Of The Year'

A Met Éirean expert has said Saturday's weather looks 'ominous' and could see the worst weather of the year.

Floods, torrential rain and winds will hit Ireland over the next 48 hours as the currently inclement weather worsens with very heavy downpours predicted for tomorrow and Saturday.

Met Éirean have issued a weather warning over the incoming downpours saying widespread rain and strong southerly winds were expected, with rainfall totals reaching 20 to 40mm in many areas, with falls of 50 or 60mm likely in parts of the southwest and west.

The warning also said that some "severe" flooding was likely.

The forecaster said councils had been "well warned" to be on flood alert throughout the country. "We're in the midst of a very wet interlude, I'm afraid," he said.

Today Cork City, West Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Roscommon and Galway are badly affected by flooding. Motorists are being warned to be drive with caution following the overnight rain and current stormy conditions.

It has also been reported that tens of thousands of acres of farmland in the west have been flooded following torrential overnight rain.

Gardaí in Galway have warned motorists that they will experience long delays and diversions this morning as a 4km section of the N17 Galway-Tuam road remains flooded, following further heavy overnight rainfall.

The road between Killeen Cross and the Font Roundabout on the north of the city is impassable. Traffic is being diverted through Ballybrit and Briarhill.

Gardaí say that a build-up of traffic on the diversionary roads will disrupt traffic on the north of the city for much of the morning.

It is thought the already saturated ground in many areas will be compounded by the incoming rains leading to some serious flooding.

(DW/KMcA)