Met Éireann Issues Status Yellow Rain Warning for Ireland Ahead of Storm Austen

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow rain warning for Ireland, saying heavy rain associated with Storm Austen will spread eastwards across the country. The warning has an expected onset of 19:00 on Thursday 22 October and expires at 08:00 on Friday 23 October 2026.

The warning was issued at 10:56 on Tuesday 20 October 2026.

Met Éireann, Status Yellow Rain Warning:

“Heavy rain associated with Storm Austen will spread eastwards across the country.Be aware of potential impacts:Difficult travelling conditionsLocalised flooding possibleOutdoor events impacted”

Storm Austen

The UK Met Office has named Storm Austen, the first named storm of the 2026/27 season.

Met Office:

“The storm is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain across the UK on Thursday night and Friday. The strongest winds will be across the southwest of England and into southern Wales.”

Austen is the first name on the 2026/27 storm names list. The Met Office, Met Éireann and the Dutch national meteorological service KNMI choose the names together, and Austen was Met Éireann’s choice.

Speaking on Monday, Cathal Nolan of Ireland’s Weather Channel said the area of low pressure expected on Thursday still looked as though it would skirt along the south coast and may enter the UK around Fishguard in South Wales.

Cathal Nolan, Ireland’s Weather Channel:

“For ourselves, it looks like it is going to be mostly a rainfall event that we have to contend with.”

Tuesday and Wednesday

Met Éireann’s national forecast says Tuesday will start off mainly dry with some bright spells. Rain will develop in the southwest and spread across Munster, Connacht and the midlands through the afternoon, while much of Ulster and east Leinster will stay dry. Highs will be 10 to 15 degrees with light to moderate southeasterly winds.

It will become windy as the rain passes, especially along the west coast on Tuesday evening, with strong gusty northwesterly winds.

On Tuesday night, the rain will continue to spread northeastwards and will be heavy at times, becoming confined to Leinster and Ulster by morning. Clearer weather with showers will follow into Munster and Connacht, along with fresh northwesterly winds, which will be strong in coastal areas. Lows will be 5 to 9 degrees.

Wednesday will start off wet over much of Leinster and Ulster, with the rain clearing slowly to the northeast through the morning and early afternoon. There will be sunshine and scattered showers for the rest of the country. It will be a breezy day with moderate to fresh, gusty westerly winds and highs of 9 to 12 degrees.

On Wednesday night, showers will continue in Munster and south Leinster for a time and also along the west coast. It will become mainly dry overnight, with lows of 2 to 7 degrees and light southwesterly breezes.

Thursday into Friday

Met Éireann says Thursday will start off mainly dry. However, heavy rain will develop in the southwest during the morning and will spread northeastwards to all areas through the afternoon, evening and early night, with localised flooding possible, especially in Munster and Leinster. Highs will be 10 to 13 degrees with moderate to fresh east to northeast winds.

Thursday night will be wet with some heavy falls of rain, which will clear to the east overnight. Winds will veer strong and gusty northwesterly, with lows of 5 to 8 degrees.

Friday will be blustery with sunshine and showers and moderate to fresh northwesterly winds. Highs will be 9 to 11 degrees.

Into the Bank Holiday Weekend

Met Éireann’s outlook describes the period as unsettled, with wet and windy conditions at times, running into the October bank holiday weekend.

On Friday night, rain will move in from the west and will spread eastwards to all areas by morning, along with strengthening southerly winds. Lows will be 3 to 8 degrees.

Saturday will start off wet with rain in all areas, clearing eastwards with showers following. Met Éireann says it will become very windy with strong, gusty westerly winds.

Sunday will be a cool, breezy day with sunshine and showers and fresh, gusty westerly winds. Highs will be 9 to 11 degrees.

Full warning details and any updates are available on Met Éireann’s warnings page.

Sources: Met Éireann Status Yellow rain warning, issued 10:56, 20 October 2026; Met Éireann national forecast and outlook, issued 08:30, 20 October 2026; Met Office on X, 20 October 2026; Met Office 2026/27 storm names announcement; Ireland’s Weather Channel video forecast, Monday 19 October 2026.