Motorists warned of flooding threat after Storm Christoph

A motorist carries his child through flood water after his car got stuck on the Piltown Road in Bettystown, Co Meath

Ralph Riegel

Motorists and walkers were warned to take extreme care given torrential rainfall forecast for the past 24 hours as Storm Christoph swept past Ireland.

While we avoided the worst of the Atlantic storm - parts of Britain were expected to receive up to 200mm of rain on higher ground - there was still a likelihood of spot flooding and even flash floods in mountainous areas across the west and midlands.

Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow rainfall alert, which remained in place until 9pm last night. The alert was valid for Connacht, Longford, Louth, Westmeath, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan

Met Éireann's Linda Hughes warned that up to 50mm of rainfall could hit some low-lying areas - with even greater amounts along mountainous areas of Ireland.

Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) urged those driving to and from work, as well as those undertaking essential journeys, to drive with caution given the possibility of spot-flooding and poor visibility.

With streams, rivers and lakes already heavily swollen with rainfall, walkers were urged to exercise extreme care near all waterways.

Outbreaks

"It will be very wet and breezy, with widespread outbreaks of rain, rain heavy and persistent over the northern half of the country with a risk of localised flooding," Ms Hughes said.

"The highest temperatures will generally be of 9C to 11C degrees but colder over Ulster - with highs of just 3C to 6C.

"Outbreaks of rain will continue in many areas tonight, turning to sleet at times over Ulster.

"There will be a pulse of heavy rain moving into southern coastal counties before dawn. It will hold mild in the south for much of the night but with much colder air to the north with lowest temperatures of 0C to 4C degrees."

The rain is set to ease up today, but the east will see some further heavy showers.

"Rain will become confined to the east and south where it will be heavy for a time near southeastern coasts," Ms Hughes said.

"The western half of the country will become bright with scattered wintry showers of rain or sleet."

Blustery showers will persist tonight, though temperatures could sink to -3C overnight.

Tomorrow will be a cool day with sunny spells, though there will be showers over the western half of the country, and some further east will bring a risk of hail.

Friday will see some sunny spells, but it will be cloudier in the south.