Latest news with #Éireann
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Ireland weather: Hosepipe ban in parts of the Republic of Ireland
A hose pipe ban has been introduced in Milford in County Donegal, Mullingar in County Westmeath, and Kells-Oldcastle in County Meath amid concerns over very low water restrictions will apply from Tuesday and will last for six Éireann (Irish Water) has said dry conditions stretching back to last autumn, through winter, and into spring have led to a sharp drop in water supply at key in County Donegal is supplied by Lough Colmcille. Both it and Lough Bane, which serves the Kells-Oldcastle area, are at historically low levels. Lough Owel, which supplies Mullingar, is now at its lowest level for 50 years. The water conservation order bans the use of hose pipes for domestic and certain non-domestic uses, such as watering gardens outside organisation says this is aimed at preserving water for essential services. 'Dryer than normal' "The past 12 months have been drier than normal when compared to the long-term average" according to Margaret Attridge, head of water operations."This means that some water sources which traditionally would have replenished over the winter period have not seen the same level of recovery.""As a result, we are starting to experience issues with water availability at these sources," Ms Attridge saidDespite the targeted nature of the restrictions the utility has urged all households and businesses across Ireland to use water wisely as the country enters the summer in 2025 Irish weather service, Met Éireann, reported that rainfall was below average at most weather stations in the Republic during organisation also reported that autumn in 2024 was the 17th driest since records began in 1940. Will there be a hosepipe ban in Northern Ireland? In Northern Ireland, NI Water has said reservoirs are at a healthy position for the time of year despite experiencing a winter and spring with less than average rainfall."Rain in mid-April helped bring reservoir levels back up to 93% capacity" according to Water Supply Manager, Maynard Cousley."However, it is a timely reminder that our weather patterns are changing and we cannot take our water supply for granted."We must use our water supply wisely so we can conserve it for when we need it most." Drought watch status The EU's Copernicus climate service has placed Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland into a drought warning status, moving from a drought watch status earlier in indicates low rainfall is now accompanied by declining soil-moisture levels and the first signs of vegetation Northern Ireland river flows in March ended the month "exceptionally low".
BBC News
06-02-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Storm Éowyn: Record breaking winds in the Republic of Ireland
Storm Éowyn brought record breaking wind speeds at several weather stations in the Republic of Ireland, the Irish meteorological service Met Éireann has revealed. Two stations, in Ceann Mhása (Mace Head), County Galway and Malin Head, County Donegal, recorded average wind speeds that reached hurricane force 12 on the Beaufort Éireann said the highest gust was 114mph (184km/h) in County Galway and County Donegal, with sustained 10 minute average speeds maxing out at 88mph (142km/h). The storm resulted in red weather warnings being issued for much of the UK and Ireland, with high winds causing damage to the power grid leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity in Northern Ireland. Met Éireann said Storm Éowyn "went through explosive cyclogenesis as it approached Ireland from the southwest".The service said that on Thursday 23 January the storm "reached peak intensity as it brushed the northwest coast of Ireland". Disruption and danger to life Storm Éowyn resulted in the Met Office issuing its first ever red weather warning for Northern Ireland and Scotland, warning that conditions may cause a "danger to life". A number of businesses remained closed on Friday 24 January until the red weather warning was lifted, including supermarkets Lidl, Tesco and Sainsbury' were also advised to close for the day. In total 285,000 households and businesses lost power during the the peak of the disruption, more than 200,000 customers were affected by power Ireland's public transport service provider Translink cancelled all bus and train services during the red Director of Service Operations, Ian Campbell, said at the time: "We have already identified there are several railway lines blocked with fallen trees and debris that will need removed."One person was killed after a tree fell on his car in Co Donegal. Kacper Dudek was travelling on the N14, near Ballinalecky Cross when the incident happened. Some customers still without internet Some customers are still waiting to have internet and phone connectivity restored. BBC News NI has seen a message from broadband provider Fibrus telling a customer that service in their area will be restored by 17 February. As of Monday this week Fibrus had about 6,000 customers out of service due to confirmed fibre said assessing timelines was challenging "given the dependencies on other providers" but all remaining customers were being given a assembly member Deborah Erskine said five telecoms masts had been destroyed during last month's storm.
