Ireland, UK: Storm Darragh to bring severe weather across the region through at least Dec. 8 /update 2

Severe weather is forecast across much of Ireland and the UK through at least Dec. 8 due to the passage of Storm Darragh. The weather system is expected to bring strong and gusty winds across Ireland from the afternoon of Dec. 6 before intensifying late Dec. 6 and affecting the UK Dec. 7. The heaviest rainfall is likely late Dec. 6 before clearing from the west Dec. 7. Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger additional flooding in low-lying areas. Hazardous travel conditions are likely in areas where more wintry precipitation occurs due to slippery roads and reduced visibility caused by blowing snow. Sporadic power outages are also possible as a result of adverse weather.

As of Dec. 6, Met Eireann has issued the following weather warnings for Dec. 7:

• Red wind warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale): Across Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, and Wicklow counties.

• Red storm warnings: from Howth Head to Wicklow Head to Carnsore Point and on the Irish Sea south of Anglesey.

• Orange wind warnings: Cavan, Connacht, Leinster, Monaghan, and Munster counties.

• Orange storm warnings: from Carnsore Point to Valentia to Malin Head and from Malin Head to Strangford Lough to Carnsore Point and on the Irish Sea.

• Yellow rain warnings: Clare, Connacht, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Longford, Louth, Meath, and Westmeath counties.

• Yellow wind warnings: Across Ireland.

• Yellow gale warnings: Across all coasts of Ireland and on the Irish Sea.

The UK's Met Office has issued the following weather warnings:

• Red wind warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale): Parts of southern and western Wales and southwestern England Dec. 7.

• Amber wind warnings: Across Northern Ireland, much of Wales, and parts of northwestern and southwestern England and southwestern Scotland Dec. 7.

• Amber rain warnings: Parts of southern and central Wales Dec. 7

• Yellow rain warnings: Across Northern Ireland, much of Wales, parts of the West Midlands in England, across much of southern and parts of eastern Scotland, and parts of northeastern England Dec. 7.

• Yellow snow warnings: Parts of central Scotland Dec. 7.

• Yellow wind warnings: Across Northern Ireland and Wales, most of England, and parts of southern and eastern Scotland Dec. 7-8.

Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.

Cardiff Airport (CWL) is closed 03:00-11:00 Dec 7. All flights at Ronaldsway Airport (IOM) in the Isle of Man are canceled through at least 13:30 Dec. 7. Multiple train services are canceled, including CrossCountry services connecting Edinburgh to Glasgow Central/Aberdeen, Newcastle to Reading, Cambridge to London Stansted Airport (STN), and Gloucester to Cardiff Central, as well as Transport for Wales services in southwest Wales and north Wales, the heart of Wales, and Cambrian lines. South Western Railway train services connecting London Waterloo to Salisbury/Exeter St Davids will only run between Basingstoke and Salisbury/Exeter St Davids and those connecting London Waterloo to Weymouth will only operate between London Waterloo and Bournemouth until 11:00 Dec. 7 and extremely limited service will run between Bournemouth and Weymouth until 13:00 Dec. 7. Speed restrictions are in place across the Great Western Railway network, increasing journey times.

First Cymru Buses are suspended until 11:00 Dec. 7, with a limited service resuming from 12:00 depending on weather conditions. The A55 Britannia Bridge will close to all vehicles due to extremely high winds from 02:00 Dec. 7 until winds have eased at around 12:00 Dec. 7, while the A66 will be closed from 07:00 Dec. 7 in both directions between Augill Beck and Scotch Corner. The M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire is closed in both directions between J1 (Aust) and J2 (Chepstow) due to strong winds, while the A34 in Hampshire is closed in both directions between the M3 J9 and the A272 (Three Maids Hill) for emergency works. Three schools in Bradford City, West Yorkshire County, closed Dec. 6 due to flooding.

In Ireland, around 35 flights at George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) are canceled Dec. 7. One flight at Cork Airport (ORK) was diverted to Dublin, while two flights to and from Amsterdam and one to Bristol were canceled. Irish Rail services connecting Westport/Ballina/Galway to Athlone, Sligo to Longford, and Rosslare to Bray are operating at reduced speeds through Dec. 7. Most Bus Eireann and TFI Local Link services are canceled or terminated early. Multiple ferries are canceled, including Irish Ferries services connecting Holyhead to Dublin and Dublin to Cherbourg, all Stena Line ferries connecting Belfast to Cairnryan and Dublin to Holyhead, and Liverpool-Belfast ferries. Reports indicate that more than 3,300 properties across County Clare, thousands of people in County Kerry, around 5,000 people in Oughterard Town, 330 people in West Cork, and several hundred people in Recess Village and Oranmore Town are without power. Events and markets across Ireland and the UK are canceled, while parks and recreational areas are closed.

The storm system could produce rounds of heavy precipitation, including rain and snow, and strong winds across the affected area. Where precipitation falls as rain, flash, and areal flooding is possible. Such flooding is possible in low-lying communities near watercourses and other large bodies of water and in urban areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream of large reservoirs may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Precipitation could fall as snow in parts of the affected area over the coming days. Wind gusts could cause blowing and drifting snow; decreased visibility is likely in these areas.

Floodwaters and related debris may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around the affected area. Flooding in urban areas could also result in significant traffic congestion. Heavy snow may make driving hazardous in parts of the region; authorities could implement temporary road closures or detours in affected locations.

Disruptive weather could cause delays and cancellations at regional airports. Flooding or snow could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are possible in areas with heavy rainfall and potential track blockages.

Disruptions triggered by inclement weather and resultant hazards, such as flooding or strong winds, could persist well after conditions have improved - it could take days before any floodwaters recede and/or officials clear debris. Repair or reconstruction efforts may result in residual disruptions if there is severe damage to infrastructure.