Status Yellow wind warning as Storm Dave to hit Ireland

Strong winds are set to hit Ireland at the weekend with the arrival of Storm Dave, as Met Éireann issues a Status Yellow wind warning for the entire country.

The forecaster said there will be very strong southerly winds, veering westerly by Saturday evening with severe gusts and coastal gales.

The warning will be in effect from 2pm until 11pm Saturday.

The storm could lead to fallen trees and branches, wave overtopping, difficult travelling conditions and debris or loose objects displaced.

Met Éireann senior forecaster Gerry Murphy said rain is moving across Ireland with showers forecast tomorrow.

"But on Saturday, this deepening Atlantic depression will move up close to the west coast of Ireland and the north-west, and will then move on over Scotland," he said.

Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he said the Status Yellow warning was for strong winds associated with Storm Dave.

Mr Murphy said the "greatest possibility" that the warning could be upgraded would be in Donegal "where the storm depression will track closest to".

He said as well as being windy, Saturday will be wet with the heaviest rain the west and northwest.

"Currently amounts don't look like requiring rainfall warnings but that may change," he said.

He said there was another "potential impact" from Storm Dave that people should be be "very aware" of:
"There will be high waves and possible wave overtopping, especially at high tide on Saturday afternoon.

"And that's on many of the coasts, especially the south, the west and the northwest coasts," he said.

Mr Murphy said a "brighter day" will follow on Easter Sunday with a mix of sunshine and showers.

The UK Met Office also issued a Yellow wind warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry, which will be in operation from 2pm on Saturday until 2am on Sunday.

It said the storm will bring a spell of very strong winds on Saturday into Easter Sunday morning, which may cause some damage and travel disruption.

Storm Dave will be the fourth named storm of the season, from a list of 21 names chosen by the Irish, UK and Dutch national weather services .