Storm Aiden: Heavy rain and winds hit UK
A weather warning is currently set up in Northern Ireland due to strong winds brought by Storm Aiden. Winds are expected to attain between 50-60mph inland, with higher gusts up to 70mph along more exposed coastal areas.A yellow warning has been issued by the Met Office across Northern Ireland from 06:00 GMT until 21:00 on Saturday. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) says it's been "inundated with reports of flooding and tree reports throughout all elements of NI".
"Local DfI Roads staff are out attending these incidents to achieve the roads reopened immediately," it said."Motorists should exercise caution while travelling today as there exists a probability of storm debris being on roads on the network that may not have been brought to our attention yet."
Translink has said railway services are at the mercy of some delay and disruption as a result of weather. The Department for Infrastructure says that short-term loss of power and other services can be done. People are urged never to visit forests, country parks, and nature reserves until strong winds have subsided. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) also issued a warning against going near to the water in coastal areas.
There are reports of a fallen tree on the Crawfordsburn Road near to the junction with Tullynagardy Road in Newtownards blocking one lane. A fallen tree on the B106 Trewmount Road in Moy, County Tyrone, has been removed.In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann, has issued a Status Orange warning for 12 coastal counties This is the second highest level of warning that can be issued.
It is warning of "severe and damaging gusts" up to 80mph. A lot more than 3,000 homes and businesses in the Republic are already without power as a result of storm, with over 2,000 premises influenced in Carrigaline, County Cork, and 1,300 homes in the Kilkee area of County Clare.A yellow warning for wind has been issued across all the counties in the Republic.
This can be the first storm of the growing season to be named as part of a joint initiative between your Irish, British, and Dutch weather services.It's the sixth year that names have already been used for storms that affect the united kingdom, Republic of Ireland and holland and they are aimed at raising awareness of extreme weather.
The reduced pressure system will also bring some persistent and, sometimes, heavy rain, especially through the first part of Saturday.On Sunday, another system containing a few of the remnants of Hurricane Zeta will arrive.It'll bring a threat of gales along the Irish Sea coast, with gusts inland expected to reach around 50mph, and perhaps higher in exposed areas.
