ALERT Heavy Rain, Strong Winds 16/17 October 2012 ~ iWeather Online

Tonight's system can be seen tracking towards Ireland. Image EUMETSAT.

ALERT: Strong winds and heavy rain, flood risk for southern coastal areas. The below charts show a low pressure system tracking NNE over Ireland at midnight (0000hrs) and 0600hrs on Wednesday 17 October, 2012).

TONIGHT ... Rain becoming heavy in southwest, gradually spreading north and east. Amounts 10-25 mm southwest, 5-10 mm central and dry to almost sunrise in north and east. Lows 4-7 C, temperatures rising after midnight in southwest to about 11 C. Winds increasing in Kerry to SE 25-45 mph.

WEDNESDAY ... Periods of rain becoming heavy at times, strong SE winds developing in Munster, 35-55 mph, but more moderate E winds 20-35 mph elsewhere. Rainfalls 20-40 mm during the day in Munster, 15-30 mm in Connacht and south Leinster, 10-20 mm in Ulster and north Leinster. Steady rain likely to be replaced by squally showers including some thunder and hail as winds veer more to southerly. Highs will reach 12 C for most, 14-16 C in south coast districts. Risk of local flooding especially south central, midlands, towards end of the day.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ... Further showers or periods of rain, 5-15 mm amounts, winds peaking at around 40-65 mph (SSE) early evening south coast then diminishing through the night, other regions will see moderate southerly breezes and lows of about 7 C. Localized flooding could continue.