Storm Jorge: Wind warnings issued across Ireland

  • Published
Media caption,

The latest weather forecast for Northern Ireland

Warnings for strong wind have been issued across Ireland as Storm Jorge moves in on Saturday.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for Northern Ireland, meaning transport could be disrupted.

It will be in force between Saturday at 12:00 GMT and 12:00 on Sunday.

Gusts inland of 50-60mph (80-100km/h) are expected with stronger gales up to 70mph (115km/h), possibly more, in exposed coastal areas, with large waves expected.

In the Republic of Ireland a "status red" warning - the highest level of warning, meaning extremely dangerous and destructive weather is expected- has been issued for counties Galway and Clare on Saturday.

The warning from Irish weather service Met Éireann comes into force from 13:00 local time until 16:00.

Media caption,

Why has the latest UK storm been named "Jorge"?

Met Éireann is warning of gusts up to 90mph (145km/h) with a risk of coastal flooding.

"Status orange" warnings - for dangerous or disruptive weather - have been issued for all other counties in the Republic of Ireland for most of Saturday, lasting until 03:00 on Sunday.

The reason the storm was not named Storm Ellen, the next on the Met Office list of names, is because it was named first by the Spanish meteorological service on Thursday.

The Met Office and Met Éireann, who work together along with the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, decided to keep the name to avoid confusion.

Paul Gundersen, the chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said the storm would "bring strong winds to parts of the UK".

The last storm to batter the UK and Ireland - Storm Dennis - left flooding and transport disruption in its wake this month.