Storm Bram to bring strong winds and widespread rain

Weather warnings have been issued ahead of Storm Bram, which is forecast to affect the island of Ireland from late on Monday.

The deep Atlantic low-pressure system is expected to bring widespread rain northwards overnight into Tuesday, with winds strengthening as the storm moves in.

Wind speeds will increase through Tuesday morning, with gusts around 50mph (80km/h) becoming widespread by lunchtime, before strengthening further into the afternoon.

The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning covering all of Northern Ireland from 09:00 to 21:00 GMT on Tuesday.

It warns gusts between 50-60mph (80km/h-100km/h) are possible fairly widely, with potential speeds of around 70mph (115km/h) or more for some exposed headlands and higher ground.

The Met Office has also warned of possible stronger winds if the storm passes closer to Ireland than expected.

This could lead to transport delays, large waves around the coast, flying debris, damage to buildings, and a chance of power cuts.

The strongest gusts are forecast along parts of the west coast in the Republic of Ireland, where the most severe warnings have been issued.

Irish weather service, Met Éireann, has issued a number of wind and rain warnings, highlighting a number of possible impacts – with particular concerns for coastal areas.

These include difficult driving conditions, localised flooding, large coastal waves, flying debris, and disruption to outdoor events.

“Flooding impacts are expected as the rain will fall on already saturated ground and many rivers are currently approaching bank full conditions” according to Met Éireann’s Matthew Martin.

“We are in a period of high astronomical tides, which will coincide with the strong, potentially onshore winds, so coastal flooding is likely.”

A yellow wind warning, covering the whole country, will come into force at 03:00 and remain in place until 21:00 on Tuesday.

This will be upgraded to orange – the second highest level – for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, and Wexford, from 07:00 until 15:00 on Tuesday.

An orange wind warning will also come into effect for Clare, Limerick, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo from 10:00 until 18:00.

A separate rain warning has been issued towards the south and south west of the country overnight on Monday and into Tuesday morning.

Storm Bram is the second named storm of the season and takes its name from Dracula author and Dublin native, Bram Stoker.

It follows Storm Amy in October, which caused widespread damage and disruption.

One man died in Donegal in what was described as a weather related incident.