Carlow set to see effects of Storm Babet today described as 'not a usual storm'

Storm Babet looks set to batter Ireland today but one forecaster says the system could actually "spin around" over the country for days, bringing with it a deluge of rain.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather said: "Storm Babet isn’t our usual storm that hits and moves on by next day. This system will stall and spin around dropping huge volumes of rain in parts. By Saturday it could bring over 90mm to many parts of Ireland, Scotland could see over 150-200mm. Flooding risk is very high."

"The high resolution Met Éireann HARMONIE model is generally the best model for this time frame and it shows over 50mm in 24 hours in parts of the South. This is the worst case scenario but it is likely sadly," he added.

Met Éireann has issued a number of weather warnings for today and tomorrow with woeful conditions incoming. 

The weather warnings in place cover much of the country with Cork, Kerry and Waterford under a Status Orange rainfall warning from 6am on Tuesday until 1pm on Wednesday.

The warning predicts "spells of heavy rain with blustery east to southeast winds at times."

#StormBabet taking shape West of Portugal and the weather front North of it is moving towards South of Ireland with a lot of rain. High pressure quickly leaving. pic.twitter.com/zmvg4PhKa8

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) October 16, 2023

Met Éireann warns of impacts including "localised flooding, poor visibility, difficult driving conditions and possible Wave overtopping at high tide."

A Status Yellow rain warning has also been issued for Connacht, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford. The warning will stay in place from 6am Tuesday until 1pm Wednesday.

In its wider forecast, Met Éireann says it will be "milder but unsettled with rain and showers every day."

Looking closer to the weekend, it will stay "unsettled with further spells of rain and showers, turning cooler too," according to Met Éireann.

They say "Tuesday will become wet and breezy. Through the morning, rain will spread across Munster, south Leinster and parts of south Connacht and then extend across the rest of the country during the afternoon. The rain will be heavy and thundery at times with localised flooding possible, especially in the southwest. Highest temperatures of 9 to 14 degrees with fresh, gusty east to southeast winds.

"It will continue wet and breezy on Tuesday night with strong easterly winds for a time in the north, and with heavy rain moving northwards, followed by scattered showers. The rain may cause localised flooding. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees in a moderate to fresh and gusty east to southeast wind, strong in coastal areas.

"Wednesday will see further heavy rain moving north with spot flooding likely. The wet weather becoming mainly confined to the east and north during the evening. Milder than recent days, with highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees, in a moderate to fresh and gusty east to southeast wind, easing in southern areas later.

"On Wednesday night there will be more outbreaks of rain and it will be generally cloudy with some mist and fog. Heavy rain will continue in the northeast. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 13 degrees in a light to moderate easterly or variable wind.

"Thursday morning will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain. Through the afternoon the rain will clear northwards, followed by scattered heavy showers and some sunny intervals. Highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees in a light to moderate easterly wind.

"Mostly cloudy with scattered showers [Thursday night], some turning heavy. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in a light to moderate easterly wind."

On Friday, forecasters foresee "sunny spells and scattered heavy showers or longer spells of rain. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees in a mostly light to moderate easterly wind, possibly strengthening in the west."