Red wind warnings issued as Storm Darragh approaches Ireland and UK

Darragh’s strengthening ahead of landfall, expected during the afternoon hours (LT) on December 6, has led to multiple Red, Amber, and Yellow warnings from Ireland’s Met Éireann and the UK’s Met Office.

In Ireland, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo counties are on Status Red wind warning. Extremely strong and gusty northwest winds are expected to reach 145 km/h (90 mph) from 22:00 UTC on December 6 until around 02:00 UTC on December 7.

Impacts expected include fallen trees and damage to power lines, dangerous traveling conditions, structural damage to temporary structures, and wave overtopping.

Orange wind warnings were issued for Cavan, Connacht, Leinster, Monaghan, and Munster, while Yellow warnings for wind and rain throughout, leading to flooding in low-lying urban areas.

Coastal areas and the Irish Sea are under Yellow warnings, with rough seas and strong gusts continuing through December 8.

The University of Galway has been closed to prioritize safety, and events like the Tuam Jots 2024 book launch and the Late Late Toy Show were canceled or rescheduled due to the storm.

The UK Met Office has issued a Red wind warning for parts of Wales and southwest England. The warning is effective from 03:00 to 11:00 UTC on December 7, and covers the western and southern coastal regions of Wales and the Bristol Channel in England where winds up to 145 (90 mph) are expected.

Forecasts have indicated that while the strongest winds will subside by late Saturday morning, windy conditions are expected to persist throughout the day. Colder northerly winds will follow, bringing frost and wintry showers over high ground on December 8.

This large low-pressure system also poses risks of snow in northern Scotland, with up to 20 cm (7.87 inches) expected above elevations of 400 m (1 312 feet). Snow may disrupt major routes, including the A9 and A83.

These conditions create danger with risks including flying debris, falling trees, structural damage, power outages, and disruptions to transportation. The affected Welsh counties include Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Cardiff, Newport, and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Amber warnings in UK remain active until 21:00 UTC on December 7 for parts of Northern Ireland, southwest Scotland, and western England. Heavy rain is also anticipated, with amber warning for up to 90 mm (3.54 inches) of rainfall in parts of Wales.

Railway lines between Leeds and Wakefield Westgate were already blocked due to wind damage to overhead wires, leading to delays, cancellations, and diversions on December 6.

In Staffordshire, dozens of trees were brought down, closing multiple roads. Residents described scenes of branches hitting buildings, with some likening the event to a tornado.

Winds disrupted West Yorkshire, with fallen trees impacting railway operations on December 5. Heavy winds damaged overhead wires, delaying services by up to an hour and affecting routes including those operated by South Western Railway, Gatwick Express, and Great Northern.

Residents living in areas under a Red warning are urged to follow these six safety recommendations issued by the Met Office:

• Avoid road travel during high winds to minimize the risk of injuries.
• Stay indoors whenever possible for added safety.
• Secure outdoor items, including bins, furniture, and decorations, to prevent them from becoming hazards.
• Prepare for potential power outages by keeping torches, batteries, and mobile power packs ready.
• Avoid coastal areas, as large waves pose significant dangers even from the shore.
• Stay updated on weather conditions and follow guidance from emergency services.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has urged residents in coastal regions to exercise extreme caution.

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Numerous events scheduled for the weekend have been canceled or postponed. Among them are park runs in Newport and Pontypool, the Narberth Nobbler running event in Pembrokeshire, and Christmas celebrations in Aberpennar and Mountain Ash.

The National Rail and RAC have advised travelers to check journey details and avoid driving on exposed routes where high-sided vehicles may be at risk.

Storm Darragh is the 4^th named storm of the 2024/25 European storm season, following Ashley, Bert, and Conall. In November, Storm Bert caused severe flooding, claiming 5 lives.

References:

¹ Red wind warning issued as Storm Darragh approaches – Met Office – December 6, 2024

² Met Éireann Weather Warning – Met Éireann – December 6, 2024

Rishika Yadav

Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.

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