New localised weather warning system to be in place before next storm season - Clare Echo

*Still via Joe Cooney TD on Youtube A NEW localised weather warning system is to be operational before the next storm season, the Government has confirmed following concerns raised by Clare TD Joe Cooney over delays to its introduction. Minister of State Thomas Byrne gave the commitment in the Dáil in response to questions from … New localised weather warning system to be in place before next storm season Read More »

A NEW localised weather warning system is to be operational before the next storm season, the Government has confirmed following concerns raised by Clare TD Joe Cooney over delays to its introduction.

Minister of State Thomas Byrne gave the commitment in the Dáil in response to questions from the Fine Gael TD, who sought an update on the system after its planned introduction by the end of 2026 was postponed.

The new system will allow Met Éireann to issue weather warnings at sub-county level, using mapped areas rather than applying the same warning to an entire county.

Mr Byrne said the technical development was already in place and that Met Éireann was carrying out independent research, including focus groups, to ensure the public could understand the new warnings.

Highlighting the need for a more localised approach, Mr Cooney pointed to rainfall figures from October 24, when 51mm of rain fell in Moyasta in west Clare in the 24 hours to 4pm, compared with 23mm in Newmarket-on-Fergus over the same period.

Despite the difference in rainfall, Clare was under a Status Yellow warning, while Cork, Kerry and Waterford were placed under Status Orange warnings.

Mr Cooney said the figures demonstrated how conditions could vary significantly within a county, particularly in Clare, which has an extensive Atlantic coastline, areas of high ground and inland communities.

He also referred to snowfall in higher parts of Clare in November 2024, when some rural communities were cut off for several days while lower-lying areas experienced rain.

The TD had previously expressed disappointment that the new system would not be introduced by the end of this year, arguing that county-wide warnings did not always reflect the conditions experienced in different parts of Clare.

Questioning the need for further consultation, he pointed to the UK Met Office, which has operated a similar localised warning system since 2011.

Minister Byrne said Met Éireann was already using the new system on a pre-operational basis in its forecast office. However, he said the remaining assessment work was necessary to ensure people could interpret the warnings correctly and make informed decisions during severe weather.

He added that major changes to national weather warning systems were not introduced during the winter period, due to the risk of confusion at a time when the service could be required to respond to significant weather events.

Mr Cooney said people relied on Met Éireann warnings when making decisions about travel, protecting homes and businesses and carrying out outdoor work. He said the system would be particularly important for rural communities and the farming sector, where local weather conditions could have a significant impact on daily activities.

He called on the Government to ensure the work was completed within the timeframe outlined by the Minister of State, with no further delays.

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