Storm Boelo: Galway added to orange rain warning for Saturday

Galway and Kerry are under an orange rain warning for Saturday 24 October as Storm Boelo approaches Ireland. Five counties also face an orange wind warning into Sunday morning. If you are travelling, working outdoors or heading to an event this weekend, check your county’s latest warning before leaving home.

Met Éireann’s live warnings page shows the orange rain alert was updated at 22:28 on Friday 23 October. It now includes Galway as well as Kerry. Earlier reports naming Kerry alone do not reflect that update.

When the warnings apply

• Orange rain, Galway and Kerry: 7am to 2pm on Saturday 24 October.
• Orange wind, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo: 2pm Saturday to 9am Sunday 25 October.
• Yellow rain, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo and Sligo: 4am to 3pm Saturday.
• Yellow wind, Cavan and Monaghan: 6pm Saturday to noon Sunday, in an alert issued at 20:59 on Friday.

Other yellow wind alerts also apply. These include Connacht, Clare, Kerry and Limerick from 1pm Saturday to noon Sunday, and Donegal from 1pm Saturday to 3pm Sunday. Times are local to Ireland. Check the live page for changes.

Check your journey, not just the forecast

Weather warnings do not mean every bus or train is cancelled. In its Friday message to passengers, Bus Éireann said all services were scheduled to run normally, while warning that the weather could affect journeys.

Before travelling, check the operator’s service updates. Leave time for delays and check again before your return journey. For rail, flights or ferries, use your operator’s current updates rather than assuming another service’s notice applies to you.

Coastal access changes in Galway

Galway City Council’s notice, dated 23 October, says Toft car park in Salthill is closed from Friday until further notice. Silverstrand Road and car park, and Salthill car park, will close from Saturday until further notice. Ballyloughane Beach Road will be for local access only from Saturday.

Check the council’s updates before making plans around the coast. A familiar walking route or parking spot may not be accessible.

Before the weather worsens

Advice from the National Severe Weather and Flood Coordination Group, reported by RTÉ on Friday, includes securing bins, garden furniture and other loose outdoor items before Saturday morning.

Do not walk, cycle or drive through floodwater, and do not pass road-closure signs. Stay away from fallen power cables. For a planned outdoor event, check the organiser’s own update before setting out.

Salthill, 2021. Photo: Ciara Ní Riain, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped.