LAST UPDATE | 2 Sep 2022

MET ÉIREANN HAS issued a Status Yellow rain warning for Saturday evening into Sunday morning amid a wet and windy weekend.

Electric Picnic attendees returning to Laois for the first time since 2019 may be in for some showers.

Met Éireann released a Status Yellow rain warning this morning that is due to come into effect at 9pm on Saturday until noon on Sunday.

A weather advisory – a lower-level caution than the Status Yellow warning – is in place throughout the weekend from 7pm this evening until 7pm on Monday, noting that wet and windy weather “may cause disruption”.

The UK Met Office has issued a Yellow rain warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Tyrone and Derry for all day Saturday.

In Co Laois, thousands of people are travelling to Stradbally for the Electric Picnic music festival from today until Sunday, with headline acts including Arctic Monkeys, Snow Patrol, Picture This, Megan Thee Stallion, Dermot Kennedy and Tame Impala.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has urged road users to exercise caution while using the roads over the weekend.

Drivers and motorcycle riders are being warned that during a prolonged dry spell, a build-up of oil and rubber deposit develops on the road.

When the weather breaks, this deposit mixes with rainwater and the road becomes hazardous. The resulting greasy road surface increases stopping distances and the risk of a skid.

The RSA issued the following advice to motorists to stay safe during the bad weather:

• Drivers should to slow down and leave a bigger space between themselves and the vehicle in front, 4 seconds at a minimum, in wet weather conditions.
• Take extra care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces visibility.
• Allow extra space between you and vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians, horse and riders and motorcyclists as they may need to avoid area on the road.
• Be aware of the danger of aquaplaning especially on roads with speed limits of 100 kmh and 120 kmh.
• Check tyres and consider replacing them if the thread depth is below 3mm.
• If the road is flooded, choose another route and do not attempt to drive through it
• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes
• Drive with dipped headlights at all times.

And the advice to pedestrians and cyclists:

• Visibility and light is reduced in poor weather conditions. Keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt
• Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
• If cyclists need to move out to avoid a flooded area on the road, they should signal to oncoming traffic before they do so. 

Forecast

Met Éireann expects that today will be cloudy with some hazy sunny spells and scattered showers, some heavy in the east and northeast of the country.

There’s possible thunder developing in Atlantic coastal areas this afternoon that would spread east by the evening, but highest temperatures will stay warm at 17 to 21 degrees Celsius.

Tonight looks set to be cloudy and wet with some outbreaks of rain and lowest temperatures in most places of 10 to 14 degrees, but chillier in the southwest at six to nine degrees.

“On Saturday morning, rain will push northeastwards, becoming confined to the north and east by afternoon,” Met Éireann forecasts.

“Elsewhere, there will be a mix of sunny spells and showers, some of the showers will be heavy and thundery. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees in a fresh south or southeast breeze.”

Saturday night is set to be wet and potentially quite windy with heavy rain bringing a risk of localised flooding. Lowest temperatures are expected to be around seven to 12 degrees.

“Strong winds will abate on Sunday morning as heavy rain clears northwards. It will be a breezy day with sunny spells and some scattered showers,” Met Éireann says.

“By evening, a further band of heavy rain will push in across the southern half of the country and winds will strengthen. Highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees in fresh and gusty southeast winds.

“Rain will clear northwards overnight with clear spells and scattered showers following. Minimum temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in fresh and blustery southeast winds.”