Forecaster Mark Bowe warns of risk of frost, with overnight temperatures dropping to freezing
People braving the elements during Storm Claudia in Dublin yesterday. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins
Disruption caused by Storm Claudia will continue today, with some ferry sailings cancelled as heavy rain and high winds brought difficult travel conditions, flooding and power outages.
About 5,000 homes, farms and businesses were without power yesterday morning as the ESB said it was working to restore connections.
Parts of Wexford were hit by flooding, with a burst canal bank in Bridgetown causing a number of properties to flood. Flooding was also reported in Portarlington, on the border of counties Laois and Offaly, on Friday night and into yesterday, despite no rain warning being issued for those counties.
Met Éireann warned that the levels of ground saturation after days of heavy rain could see a flooding risk remain in place for parts of Leinster and Munster during the early parts of today.
However, weather conditions are expected to change significantly overnight tonight and tomorrow, with the temperatures getting noticeably colder. Forecaster Mark Bowe said there is a risk of frost, with overnight temperatures dropping to freezing.
“We are going to see a northerly flow bring down some cooler, fresher air over the country, so it will be drier but noticeable colder tomorrow and Monday,” he said.
“Our temperatures will drop back, with the potential for some night-time frosts on tonight and tomorrow night.”
Fallen trees blocked roads in parts of the country yesterday and social media videos appeared to show sea foam being dramatically whipped on to shore at Loughshinny in Co Dublin and Bray, Co Wicklow.
The conditions saw sailings between Ireland, the UK and France heavily disrupted.
Irish Ferries cancelled five sailings between Dublin and Holyhead yesterday, with four more services due for today cancelled.
Services between Dublin and Cherbourg were also hit by significant delays. A sailing due to depart Dublin on Saturday night was put back by 24 hours to today. A crossing from France scheduled for this evening has also been delayed until tomorrow.
Stena Line cancelled two services on the Rosslare-Fishguard route yesterday, while Dublin-Holyhead sailings were delayed by up to seven hours.
Passengers intending to travel in the coming days were advised to check with their operators.
