Storm Agnes update: 'Risk of tornadoes' in Ireland in latest grim alert

Storm Agnes is making its way across Ireland and could bring local mini tornadoes to some parts, according to European weather experts.

Forecasters at the European Storm Forecast Experiment group (ESTOFEX) have raised the alert level for tornado activity over Ireland amid the horrendous weather conditions.

Storm Agnes is sweeping across Ireland from the southwest, bringing with it possible gusts of 120km/h and 40mm of rain to some areas in the south and south west.

In an update to followers, Carlow Weather forecaster Alan O'Reilly shared the ESTOFEX data and warning.

He said: "A level 2 issued by Estofex for parts of Ireland today with a small risk of local tornadoes from Storm Agnes. These are very difficult to forecast and can be small and very short lived but worth sharing the information."

In their update, ESTOFEX says: "A level 2 has been issued across Ireland, Wales, and W England for severe wind gusts and tornadoes.

"Rapid cyclogenesis is underway across the E Atlantic and will result in an intense low-pressure system approaching the British Isles at the start of the forecast period.

"The combination of high low-level streamwise vorticity and low cloud bases points to the risk of tornadoes, including strong tornadoes."

They added: "As the cold front pushes east-northeast, instability and shear over the UK gets weaker, with showers and isolated thunderstorms becoming gradually less severe. Still, some severe wind gusts and tornadoes are forecast until the afternoon."

Met Éireann has not predicted any tornadoes but has issued a number of Storm Agnes warnings, including a Status Orange wind and rain alert for counties in the south of the country.

A level 2 issued by @Estofex for parts of Ireland today with a small risk of local tornadoes from #StormAgnes these are very difficult to forecast and can be small and very short lived but worth sharing the information. pic.twitter.com/B7Le0BvVTx

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) September 27, 2023

Originally, Met Éireann released an orange warning for Cork and Kerry but that wind warning now covers Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford.

It warns of "very strong and gusty southerly winds, with some severe and damaging gusts" and the potential for "coastal flooding, difficult travel conditions, power outages and fallen trees."

The warning is valid from 9am until 5pm on Wednesday.

A Status Orange rain warning covers Cork, Kerry and Waterford and warns of "spells of heavy and occasionally intense rain, combined with very strong and gusty winds."

Impacts include difficult travel conditions, localised flooding and poor visibility. That warning too is valid until 3pm on Wednesday.

These is a Status Yellow rain warning for Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry and Waterford from 7am to midnight on Wednesday.

Finally, a Status Yellow wind warning is in place for Leinster, Munster and Galway during the same time period.

"Becoming very windy on Wednesday with very strong and gusty southerly winds, veering westerly later on," Met Éireann added.

In their latest forecast, the national forecaster continued: "Storm Agnes will track northeastwards over Ireland today with disruption likely in places. It will be wet and very windy with strong to gale force southeast winds, veering westerly later in the day.

"Becoming extremely windy or stormy for a time in the east and south with the potential for severe and damaging gusts. Strong onshore winds and high seas will bring the risk of coastal flooding on eastern and southern coasts. Heavy rain extending nationwide through the morning with the likelihood of some localised flooding. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees.

"Staying windy for a time tonight with strong and gusty westerly winds gradually easing as Storm Agnes clears towards Scotland. Outbreaks of heavy rain in the northeast will give way to a mix of clear spells and scattered showers. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees."