Severe weather warnings up as Storm Atiyah heads toward Ireland and the UK

Met Eireann issued Orange and Yellow weather warnings as Storm Atiyah is set to strike the country on Sunday, December 8, 2019. The Met Office has warned that massive waves, travel and power disruptions, flooding, and damages to properties are likely. Atiyah is the first named storm of the 2019/20 season.

Southwesterly winds swerving northwesterly will reach average speeds of 65 to 80 km/h (40 to 50 mph), with gusts between 110 to 130 km/h (68 to 81 mph).

The eight areas under an orange warning are Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Kerry, and Limerick, beginning at 09:00 UTC on Sunday. An Orange warning means infrequent and dangerous weather conditions may pose a threat to life and property. 

A yellow status or wind advisory will also be in place for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cork, Tipperary, and Waterford, effective Sunday 15:00 UTC until Monday 06:00 UTC.

Atiyah will move from west to east through the latter part of Sunday and overnight into Monday, the UK Met Office said.

A Yellow national severe weather warning for wind has been issued for the south west of England and the west coast of Wales. The warning comes in to force at 15:00 Sunday afternoon and runs through to 09:00 Monday morning (LT).

"The UK is in for an unsettled period of weather with some very strong winds, especially along the west coast. Gusts of 80 – 100 km/h (50 – 60 mph) are expected quite widely inland, with up to 112 km/h (70 mph) gusts around some coastal locations," Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wardle said.

"As well as strong winds there will be large coastal waves in the south west, so bare this in mind before heading out in these regions. Monday will be a much-improved day with brighter and drier conditions moving in from the west before another period of wet and windy weather on Tuesday."

The strong winds will also impact western parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, with gusts of up to 92 km/h (57 mph) overnight. As the low-pressure system moves eastwards the focus of the winds will move to the east coast of northern England and Scotland in the early hours of Monday morning with gusts up to 88 km/h (55 mph).  

Atiyah is the first named storm of the season which started in September. The naming convention now also includes the Dutch meteorological service, KNMI. Storms are named to aid the communication of approaching severe weather, helping the public to be better placed to keep themselves, their property and businesses safe. 

Conditions across the UK will remain unsettled through the week after Atiyah clears out to the east. Breezy conditions will persist, with blustery showers and periods of brightness for much of the UK. 

Featured image credit: Meteosat-11. Acquired 14:00 UTC on December 6, 2019