Amber alert for Storm Chandra hitting Northern Ireland this evening
Storm Chandra is on the way tonight, bringing with it strong winds, heavy rain and snow across much of the UK.
An Amber warning for wind has been issued for eastern Northern Ireland, from 5am to 9pm Tuesday 27th. A yellow rain warning is in place from midday to midnight today also.
The Met Office warns of "gusts of 60-70mph are likely widely within the Amber warning area, with 75mph gusts possible in coastal locations..easterly winds of this strength are unusual and are likely to be impactful."
Met Office Chief Forecaster, Paul Gundersen, said: “Storm Chandra will bring a range of hazards to the UK through Monday night and Tuesday. Initially strong winds will impact the Isles of Scilly, western Cornwall and southwest Wales which are still vulnerable after Storm Goretti, gusts of 70 to 80mph are possible here. Heavy rain is an additional hazard as it falls on saturated ground in Dorset and southern parts of Devon, Somerset and Cornwall.
“As Chandra interacts with colder air further north snow becomes a hazard, with 10-20cm of snow possibly accumulating over higher ground in the Pennines, southern Scotland and the Highlands. With a complex spell of weather, its important people stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings in your area.”
The rest of the week continues to be unsettled with further spells of wet and windy weather. Wednesday brings the best day of weather for most, with dry and at times bright conditions in the east, however rain and cloud persists in the west.
Northern Ireland's five-day forecast 👇
Today: Early patchy rain will soon clear. A band of rain will soon follow from the south during the morning, this becoming persistent and heavy during the afternoon. Maximum temperature 6 °C.
Tonight: Heavy and persistent rain will clear the southwest for a time from the evening. Outbreaks of persistent and heavy rain will spread west again later. Becoming windy east. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
Tuesday: Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, some heavy. This rain clears to frequent showers in the afternoon. Windy. Maximum temperature 7 °C.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday: Cloudy but dry Wednesday morning then scattered afternoon showers. The showers become frequent Thursday and Friday. Windy.
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