The pressure map for Ireland this Saturday Magic Seaweed Magic Seaweed

MET ÉIREANN HAS issued a fresh weather warning for the weekend – and more could follow tomorrow.

The status yellow advisory was issued at 5pm this evening and covers all of Saturday.

Here’s how the weather service is describing it:

A spell of heavy rain is forecast for Saturday, mainly affecting Munster, Connacht and Leinster. Details of this event are still uncertain, follow up warnings will be issued during Friday morning.

The warning is in the lowest category of Met Éireann’s three-tier advisory system – but it’s significant in light of the heavy flooding being experienced in the Shannon area, since last weekend’s Storm Desmond.

• More: Athlone residents battle floods as raw sewage erupts onto streets >

Clare County Council has taken the step of issuing a severe flood warning for the county for the weekend, in light of the forecast.

In a statement this evening, the local authority said a combination of heavy rainfall (50-80mm), elevated water levels in waterways, saturated ground, spring tides and strong winds are likely to result in localised flooding.

River levels in Clare are approaching levels not experienced since November 2009.

According to the Council “weather patterns over the next 48 hours will determine whether those levels are likely to be exceeded”.

Here’s the advice for Clare residents:

• Businesses and householders who have experienced flooding in the past are being urged “to operate on the basis of a very high level of alert“.
• The Council will operate an emergency helpline on Saturday for anyone who needs to report blocked roads and flooding.
• Updates will be issued through the Council website, Twitter (@ClareCoCo), Facebook, and the Council’s text alert system during the weekend.
• Many roads are expected to be flooded. People are being urged to check forecasts before planning any journeys.

“In light of current forecasts, the main message we wish to promote is that we do expect flooding to occur with the high risk areas being those that have previously experienced flooding,” Senior Engineer with the Council Tom Tiernan said. 

“The situation is being monitored continuously and contingency arrangements are in place to deal with any flooding incident.

The Council has already convened a crisis management meeting and will do so again during Friday as well as liaising with other response agencies regarding preparations for any flooding.

Meanwhile, the Council says water levels along the lower Shannon at Clonlara are continuing to rise and are expected to peak on Monday or Tuesday.

Council staff, assisted by the Defence Forces, Civil Defence and fire service are continuing to work on flood defence measures along the river.

More on the flooding: Athlone residents battle floods as raw sewage erupts onto streets

Also: Worst of flooding still to come along Shannon river