Storm Floris to bring strong winds and rain as warnings issued across West and Northwest

Irish Examiner

02-08-2025

Met Éireann has issued multiple Status Yellow warnings as Storm Floris is set to sweep across parts of the country on Monday, bringing the threat of damaging winds, heavy rain, and localised flooding.
Counties including Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan, and Monaghan are expected to be impacted by very strong southwesterly winds veering westerly, with gusts strong enough to cause structural damage, fallen trees, and power outages.
Spells of heavy rain are also forecast, particularly in Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo, with a risk of thunder and flooding in some areas.
The warnings are in effect from the early hours of Monday morning, with Met Éireann warning of hazardous travel conditions and potential disruption to outdoor events.
Storm Floris warning
On Friday afternoon, Met Éireann issued a weather advisory ahead of Storm Floris, which it says will bring 'unseasonably impactful weather' from Sunday night into Monday.
The forecaster describes the storm as a 'deepening low-pressure system' likely to track to the northwest, bringing a spell of 'heavy rain and very strong winds.'
The storm is expected to cause:
Dangerous travel conditions
Fallen trees, debris, and loose objects
Structural damage
Knock-on impacts for outdoor events
Power outages
Wave overtopping
Localised flooding due to leaves and debris
Forecaster Andrew Doran-Sherlock noted that the full impacts of Storm Floris cannot yet be fully determined.
"By Saturday though, the event will be within the range of our high-resolution DINI forecasting model and warnings will be issued," he said.
"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."
Mr Doran-Sherlock added that while neap tides will bring the lowest tidal ranges of the cycle on Sunday and Monday, strong onshore winds and high waves may cause wave overtopping in low-lying coastal areas of 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," he added.
Forecast
Saturday will start dry and sunny, before cloud gradually spreads from the west through late morning and early afternoon, bringing patches of light rain, drizzle, and mist. Top temperatures will range from 16C to 21C in a light southwesterly breeze.
Saturday night will see some outbreaks of light rain and drizzle, with more persistent rain spreading across the country overnight. By early Sunday morning, clear spells will develop in the north and west, Met Éireann says. Temperatures will range from 13C to 17C.
On Sunday, the forecaster says early morning cloud and rain will clear from the southwest, giving way to the best conditions of the weekend, with "a good amount of dry and bright weather, with just a few showers in the northwest."
Highest temperatures will range from 16C to 20C in a moderate to fresh westerly wind.
By Sunday night, conditions will turn wet and windy, as rain and fresh, gusty winds move across the country from the west. Temperatures will range from 12C to 15C.
Finally, Met Éireann says Monday will be "wet and windy", with strong, 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 ease through the day. Highest temperatures on Monday will range from 16C to 21C.