‘Notoriously difficult to spot' warning over deadly rip currents at popular Irish beaches before possible bank hol storm
The Irish Coast Guard,
Advertisement
4
The RNLI says that rip currents are a major cause of accidental drownings and can be notoriously difficult to spot
Credit: RNLI
4
To escape a riptide swimmers should try wade or swim horizontal to the shore
Credit: RNLI
The bad weather, they say, "will further increase the risk of getting into difficulty, especially on east coast
Rips are strong currents which run out to sea and can quickly drag people away from the shallows of the shoreline and out to deeper water.
They tend to flow at 1–2 mph but can reach 4–5 mph, which is faster than an Olympic swimmer.
The RNLI says that rips are particularly powerful in large surfs and are often found around river mouths, estuaries and man-made structures like piers and groynes.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS
They are also apparently "notoriously difficult to spot".
Only sometimes identifiable by a channel of churning, choppy water on the
The RNLI urges swimmers to "choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags" to avoid the currents.
They also advise wearing a bright-coloured swimming hat and never swimming alone.
Advertisement
MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN
Latest
Latest
If caught in a rip, they advise you do not
These warnings come following a
Met Eireann has not confirmed whether a storm will make landfall, but has warned that Monday will be unsettled with wet and breezy weather.
WEATHER WARNING
Some areas are expected to be hit harder by the bad
Advertisement
Cathal Nolan, founder of Ireland's Weather Channel, warned winds are expected to be strong enough to cause disruption where they hit.
He said: "There's an increasing risk of some unseasonably strong winds on Monday, with northern areas currently most at risk.
"Much still depends upon the exact track and how the low-pressure system interacts with an active jet stream in the vicinity of Ireland."
He added: "It's too early to speculate of the exact strength of the winds the low pressure could generate, but they would be sufficient to cause disruption in the north."
Advertisement
4
Met Eireann has issued an alert for "unseasonably strong" winds over the bank holiday
Credit: Meteologix
4
Rips are often found around river mouths, estuaries and man-made structures like piers and groynes
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Met Eireann issues weather warning update as Storm Floris officially named
Met Eireann has delivered an update to the Irish public after Storm Floris was named by the UK's Met Office earlier today. While Met Eireann has yet to issue a weather warning, Ireland's national forecaster has acknowledged the potential storm risks by issuing an advisory, and suggested that official warnings should be expected from Saturday. This comes as a spell of wet and unseasonably windy weather is anticipated from Sunday evening. The downturn in conditions could result in a greater number of people being impacted as a result of a large number of outdoor events over the August Bank Holiday weekend, including festivals. Some potential impacts of the stormy weather include dangerous travelling conditions, fallen trees, debris, structural damage, knock-on impacts for outdoor events, power outages, wave overtopping and localised flooding. The deepening low pressure system will likely track to the northwest of Ireland and bring with it a spell of heavy rain and very strong winds. Forecaster Andrew Doran-Sherlock said: "Storm Floris will bring a spell of wet and unseasonably windy weather, particularly for northwestern areas, through Sunday night and into Monday. However, there is still some uncertainty in the details so the full impacts of the system cannot yet be determined. By Saturday though, the event will be within the range of our high-resolution DINI forecasting model and warnings will be issued. "However, as this is a Public Holiday Weekend with a large number of outdoor events and with many people going camping, etc, and with an increased usage of temporary structures such as tents, more people will be at a greater risk of exposure than would normally be the case. And while we are in a period of neap tides, with lowest tidal ranges of this cycle expected on Sunday and Monday, strong onshore winds and high waves may cause wave overtopping in low-lying coastal areas in the northwest and west. "Our advice would be to pay attention to the weather forecasts and warnings issued over the weekend and take them into consideration with any plans you have. And as always, please heed the advice of local authorities." Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024/25 season. Storm Éowyn, which took place in late January, was the last named storm to affect Ireland and caused significant damage to tens of thousands of people across the country. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Dangerous' Storm Floris CONFIRMED to hit Ireland with major bank holiday weekend warning amid grim ‘greater risk' fears
MET Eireann has confirmed that Storm Floris will hit Ireland this Bank Holiday weekend - bringing potentially "dangerous" conditions. Forecasters have issued a nationwide advisory and warned that the "full impacts" of Floris are yet to be determined. Advertisement Met Eireann confirmed that And they confirmed that further weather warnings will be issued on Saturday, when weather models can give a more detailed breakdown on where will be the worst impacted. The public should expect to face "dangerous" travelling conditions during the storm which will have knock on impacts on outdoor events - such as There will be a risk of structural damage, fallen trees, debris and loose objects. Advertisement Power outages are likely and those in coastal areas should expect wave overtopping. There will also be a risk of localised flooding. Outlining where exactly will be hit the hardest by Floris and when, Met Eireann forecaster Andrew Doran-Sherlock said: 'Storm Floris will bring a spell of wet and unseasonably windy weather, particularly for northwestern areas, through Sunday night and into Monday. "However, there is still some uncertainty in the details so the full impacts of the system cannot yet be determined. Advertisement Most read in Irish News Exclusive "By Saturday though, the event will be within the range of our high-resolution DINI forecasting model and warnings will be issued.' He added: "However, as this is a Public Holiday Weekend with a large number of outdoor events and with many people going camping, etc, and with an increased usage of temporary structures such as tents, more people will be at a greater risk of exposure than would normally be the case. "And while we are in a period of neap tides, with lowest tidal ranges of this cycle expected on Sunday and Monday, strong onshore winds and high waves may cause wave overtopping in low-lying coastal areas in the northwest and west. "Our advice would be to pay attention to the weather forecasts and warnings issued over the weekend and take them into consideration with any plans you have. And as always, please heed the advice of local authorities.' Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Storm Floris named by forecasters as plenty of wind and rain on the way
Storm Floris has officially been named by the UK Met Office this morning. While Met Eireann is yet to acknowledge the naming of the storm and current weather models have the storm tracking towards the north of Ireland, the country is expected to be battered by wind and rain early next week. The latest weather charts show that Ireland does face the risk of experiencing the effects of Storm Floris but should escape the worst of the conditions, though there does remain some uncertainty in the forecast. Irish weather expert Alan O'Reilly, who mans the ever-popular @CarlowWeather account on X, posted: "The UK Met Office have named Storm Floris for the storm to hit Monday. The worst of it will stay North of Ireland based on current track but still bring us wet and unseasonably windy weather." Parts of Northern Ireland have been issued with a yellow warning for a 24-hour period from 6am and it will mainly be northern parts of the UK that will be affected by the most damaging impacts of the storm. The latest Met Eireann forecast for Bank Holiday Monday reads: "There is some uncertainty in the forecast but current indications suggest Monday will see a wet and windy start with strong and gusty westerly winds and widespread rain, possibly heaviest over parts of the northwest, clearing eastwards through the morning and afternoon. "Sunny spells and scattered showers will follow as winds gradually easy through the day. Highest temperatures of 16 to 21 degrees." Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024/25 season by the UK Met Office. Storm Éowyn, which took place in late January, was the last named storm to affect Ireland and caused significant damage to tens of thousands of people across the country. For more of the latest breaking news from the Irish Mirror check out our homepage by clicking here
