The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users to take extreme care over the next 48 hours as Met Eireann has issued updated RED, ORANGE and YELLOW weather warnings for strong winds as Storm Hannah approaches.
STATUS RED: Wind Warning for Clare with Northwesterly winds will reach mean speeds in excess of 80km/h with violent gusts of 130 to 150 km/h for a time this evening. Valid from Friday 26 April 2019 20:00 to Friday 26 April 2019 23:00
STATUS ORANGE: Wind Warning for Clare, Cork Kerry and Limerick . Northwesterly winds associated with Storm Hannah will reach mean speeds in excess of 65-80 km/h with gusts of 110 to 130 km/h for a time this evening/early tonight. Valid from Friday 26 April 2019 14:00 to Saturday 27 April 2019 01:00
Also the Same Orange warning is in place for Galway Valid from Friday 26 April 2019 19:00 to Friday 26 April 2019 23:59
There is also a status Orange Wind Warning for Tipperary and Waterford. Southwest winds veering northwest will reach mean speed of 65 to 80km/h and gusts of 110 to 120km/h for a time tonight. Valid: Friday 26 April 2019 22:00 to Saturday 27 April 2019 02:00
STATUS YELLOW: Wind warning is also in place for Connacht, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Wexford, Wicklow, Offaly, Donegal, Tipperary and Waterford from 11pm today until 9am Saturday. Southerly winds will veer north-westerly and reach mean speeds of 50-65 km/h with gusts of 90 to 110 km/h.
Road users are advised to check local and national weather forecasts and traffic updates before setting out on a journey. In extreme weather conditions it is best to avoid making a journey by road unless absolutely necessary. If driving in such conditions is unavoidable be prepared. The golden rule is drive with care and caution – expect the unexpected. And we appeal to organisers of outdoor/sporting events that you may wish to consider cancellation in severe weather conditions.
The RSA has the following advice for road users when travelling in strong winds:
- In extreme Weather conditions please heed the warnings of your local authority and Met Eireann. Don’t make unnecessary journeys
- Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected.
- Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road. Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High sided vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds
- Drivers should allow extra space allow between themselves and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
- Use dipped headlights at all times
Advice to Pedestrians & Cyclists;
- Be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt.
- Take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
- Walk on a footpath, not in the street. Walk on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
For advice on severe weather driving tips, please see severe weather advice on the RSA website or check out the RSA Facebook and Twitterpages.
Please also see our new severe weather warning videos created in collaboration with Teresa Mannion with advice for driving on strong winds.
For more weather updates visit Met Eireann’s website www.met.ie
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