Met Éireann issue Mayo with Status Orange warning for rain

MET Éireann have issued a Status Orange Rain weather warning for Mayo with the arrival of Storm Bert on Saturday expected to bring intense rainfall and the possibility of flooding.

The weather warning which was issued by Met Éireann this morning will come into effect from midnight on Saturday and is expected to last through the night until 10am.

Met Éireann have warned that the arrival of Storm Bert is expected to bring intense falls of rain over a short period of time and the possible impacts include surface flooding, possible river flooding, very difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility.

Met Éireann meteorologist Liz Walshe said the rain and wind will start to 'pick up as Storm Bert makes his entrance'.

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, she cautioned that it is possible that areas under the Orange weather alert could have 'upwards of 40mm' of rain.

“Almost everywhere is going to get at least 25mm of rain, that’s including everywhere - even across the eastern half of the country,” she said.

Galway is expected to bear the brunt of Storm Bert with the county issued with a Status Red Rain warning with the possibility of severe flooding and damage to homes and businesses and dangerous/treacherous travelling conditions particularly in the west of the county.

A Status Orange rain warning has also been issued for Waterford, Kerry, Clare, Sligo and Leitrim.

The weather warning comes just days after heavy snowfall fell across Mayo with many roads blocked with up to six inches of snow in places and communities left without electricity. Many schools across the county remain closed this morning after school principals took the decision not to reopen due to dangerous driving conditions.