Record breaking waves of up to 70 feet could hit the shores of Ireland’s west coast over the coming days as a historic Atlantic Ocean storm hits land.
Mayo, Sligo and Donegal will bear the brunt of the storm as a huge front of low pressure is being blown south from Iceland. The Irish meteorological services, Met Eireann, has issued an orange warned with the threat of winds up to 110kmh / 68mph. Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo could see winds of up to 130kmh / 80mph.
The rapid cyclogenesis, known as a "weather bomb," is a deep low pressure system moving slowly eastwards between Scotland and Iceland.
This is going to be one helluva N. Atlantic storm coming up. Significant implications for UK/Ireland too. pic.twitter.com/EumjCI6JFS
— Andrew Freedman (@afreedma) December 7, 2014
They also warned that waves, like those seen in Hawaii will crash against Ireland’s west and northwest Atlantic coasts. Sadly, for surfers, the winds will be blowing in the wrong direction so they’ll miss out on the storm.
The Irish Coast Guard has appealed for people not to venture too close to shorelines or piers during the storm.
Surfers are greatly disappointed. Neil Britton, whose grandparents pioneered the sport in Donegal said, “It's a real shame. At this stage it is looking like we are going to see the biggest waves ever seen here in Rossnowlagh, something I've never seen before.
"Unfortunately, we need a southwest wind to make those waves ridable and the winds will be coming from the west.
"We've taken the week off; we'll keep an eye out and if the wind direction does change then we will certainly go for it, but that is looking unlikely from all the forecasts.
"One thing is for sure, they (the waves) are going to be spectacular to watch. It looks like the biggest swell we've had with waves up to 70 feet high."
Temperatures are also set to drop. Dublin which has been enjoying highs of around 12C / 53F will plummet toward 5C / 41F later this week. Strong winds are also expected to affect the east but not as badly as the west of Ireland.
Deirdre Lowe from Met Eireann told the Irish Independent, “It's certainly going to be cold everywhere. The wind will prevent severe frost but there will be a lot of wind chill. It's going to feel a lot colder than it is.
"It will be close to zero but it's the wind chill that will really be felt."
Purple rain is on the way!! #storm #Ireland Today! pic.twitter.com/TbDYQM78ek @ireland @deric_hartigan
— Paul Dunphy Esquire (@pauldunphy) December 9, 2014
There will also be heavy rain with Dublin avoiding the worst of it. Showers in Ulster may fall as snow.
The United Kingdom’s Met Office has also issued a yellow warning as they brace themselves for severe gales, high waves and a risk of flooding in Scotland.
A second storm is due to roll in from the Atlantic Ocean on Friday.
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