Storm Fionn: Wind alert upgraded while snow causes poor road conditions

Met Eireann has today upgraded their wind warning for Donegal to Status Orange as the Arctic Storm gains strength.

This winter storm has been named Storm Fionn, which is due to bring very strong westerly winds to Atlantic coastal counties including Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork and Kerry.

Wind speeds of 65 to 80 km/h and gusts of up to 120 km/hr are forecast for the coast tonight, with the wind alert in place from 3pm Tuesday until 3am Wednesday.

There will be high seas on the Atlantic Seaboard with an increased risk of coastal flooding.

The snow-ice warning remains in place for all Ireland until Wednesday. The latest graphs from Met Eireann show that heavy snowfall will occur again this evening and last into Wednesday morning.

Temperatures today will rise no higher than 4 degrees, with lows of -1 to 2 forecast for after nightfall.

AA Roadwatch has warned of poor road conditions around Inishowen and the north-west of the county due to sleet and snow. Motorists are advised to drive with extreme care.

Drivers should be on alert for wind-blown debris as well as road flooding.

“Only drive through water if you know it’s not too deep for your car. If you have to drive through standing water, drive through the centre of the road as that is the highest point,” is the advice from AA Roadwatch.