Weather warning: Storms forecast for NI on Tuesday

Image source, Stephen Henderson

Image caption, Stormy weather at Whitehead in County Antrim in January
  • Author, Barra Best
  • Role, 成人快手 News NI Weather Presenter

Weather warnings have been issued ahead of very stormy weather on Tuesday.

An area of low pressure is set to bring heavy downpours of rain and severe gusts of wind, especially around the coast.

The Met Office has warned that up to 30mm of rain can be expected to fall quite widely. High ground such as the Mourne Mountains could have up to 60mm of rain.

As the ground is already saturated, this could lead to flooding.

A Met Office rainfall warning comes into place from 03:00 GMT until midnight on Tuesday.

Separately, a warning for strong winds has also been issued by the Met Office from 02:00 to 18:00 GMT.

Gusts of wind reaching a speed of up to 70mph are expected around the coastline of counties Antrim and Down.

South-westerly gusts of wind could reach speeds of up to 50-60 mph inland on Tuesday morning.

However, winds are expected to ease inland as the day goes on with the strongest gusts remaining around coastal areas.

Image source, Douglas Cecil

Image caption, The waves beat the lighthouse at Rathlin in January's storms

The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs issued a warning for those thinking of using its facilities tomorrow.

It has advised people to stay away from forests, country parks and nature reserves due to the increased risk of falling branches and debris.

A series of warnings have also been issued across the Republic of Ireland by Met 脡ireann.

A status orange warning - the second highest level - is in place for rain in Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford.

The organisation is warning that up to 80mm of rain could fall over mountainous regions.

Wind warnings have also been issued.

Although Wednesday and Thursday will remain breezy at times with a few scattered showers, high pressure is expected to build by the weekend bringing drier and calmer weather.