Warning issued as heavy rain forecast for much of NI

A white car drives through a flooded area under a railway bridge as a blue and grey train passes overhead, on the A26 outside the village of Moira in Northern Ireland. There is a line of cars behind.Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

Localised flooding - such as near Moira in 2023 - is possible

  • Published

A warning has been issued for heavy and persistent rain for Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

A Met Office yellow rainfall alert has been issued from 02:00 until 21:00 BST for counties Antrim, Armagh, and Down, as well as eastern parts of Tyrone and Londonderry.

Antrim and Down are expected to bear the brunt of the downpours with up to 60mm (2.4in) of rain in some areas of high ground.

Elsewhere, most other areas are expected to get between 20-30mm.

A map of Northern Ireland. Eastern areas such as Newcastle, Dundonald, Glenarm and Lagavara are within a yellow highlighted zone indicating where the weather will affect.
Image caption,

The rain is forecast to mostly affect eastern parts of Northern Ireland

This could be enough to cause some travel disruption due to spot flooding and surface spray.

The Met Office has warned of the possibility of a few homes and business being flooded, as well as possible interruptions to power supplies.

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The heaviest rain is expected through Wednesday morning and afternoon, with conditions gradually easing from the west by evening.

A similar status yellow rainfall warning has been issued by Met Éireann for parts of the Republic of Ireland.

Rain is expected to become heavy at times and persistent, bringing a risk of spot flooding.

The warning lasts from 21:00 on Tuesday until 14:00 on Wednesday for counties Dublin, Louth, Meath, Wexford, and Wicklow.