Storm Austen to hit Northern Ireland with heavy rain - but province to dodge worst of bad weather

The UK’s Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning covering the south and east of Scotland, as well as an amber wind warning for the whole of Cornwall and western parts of Devon.

And Republic of Ireland authorities have issued orange warnings for flooding and intense rain in the south and south-west of the island, as well as a yellow warning covering the whole country.

According to the Met Office, however, while the storm will bring heavy rain plus wind overnight on Thursday and into Friday morning, it’s not expected to be as severe in Ulster.

Senior operational meteorologist Liam Eslick told the News Letter: “With Storm Austen, we are expecting wet heavy rain for Northern Ireland and winds will be breezy, but not particularly strong.

“However, the impact from rain from this system looks low at this stage, no warnings are expected to be issued here with this storm.

“The strongest of the winds will be further south towards the southwest of the UK.”

According to Met Eireann, Storm Austen will bring heavy rain spreading eastwards across the island.

It said: “Strong easterly winds will back north-westerly and strengthen further, especially in the south and south-east.”

It warned of impacts to outdoor events, localised flooding and some fallen trees.

For the orange warnings, Met Eireann said flooding is expected and impacts will include very difficult travelling conditions and disruption to public transport.

The expected onset of the first Orange warning is 10pm on Thursday, ending 5am the next day for Cork, Kerry and Waterford overlapping with a similar advisory for Dublin, Wexford, and Wicklow between 2am and 8am on Friday.

The UK Met Office forecast for Northern Ireland says it will be “breezy with rain early Friday clearing to mostly dry conditions and sunny spells”.

It added: “Spells of heavy rain over the weekend with winds strengthening and bringing a risk of gales.”