The Road Safety Authority has urged cyclists to take care on the road when Storm Barra is forecast to hit Ireland with high winds and heavy rain, and to avoid cycling completely when the worst of the wind and rain hits the country tomorrow.
Met Eireann - which forecasts weather for the Republic - has issued 'orange' and 'yellow' weather warnings for strong winds and rain. The 'orange' warning has been issued for Tuesday during the day and Tuesday night as what is termed a 'bomb cyclone' is head for Ireland and Britain.
Met Eireann said the storm will bring "severe and significant" conditions that will pose a threat to life and will also cause large coastal waves and fallen trees.
It is forecast that southerly winds, later becoming north-westerly, will reach mean speeds of 65-80kmph with severe or damaging gusts of up to 130kmph, possibly higher in coastal areas.
Advertisement
In Northern Ireland, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the whole of Northern Ireland from Tuesday morning. Heavy rain and gale or severe gale force southeasterly winds will hit the North, making road conditions as dangerous as that forecast for the Republic.
In the Republic, counties Kerry and Cork had been issued with a 'red' weather warning, the most severe of the three types of warning issued. That level of warning for Cork and Kerry represents an upgraded in recent hours.
Related News
The counties affected by the 'orange' warning - which is more severe than the 'yellow' warning - include Clare, Galway and Limerick.
The 'yellow' weather warning in place at the time of writing on Monday afternoon has been issued for Leinster, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary and Waterford for Tuesday and for a time on Wednesday, as Storm Barra is expected to bring very strong winds and spells of heavy rain across all of Ireland.
Heavy rain is expected to bring localised flooding and there will also be a risk of coastal flooding on south and west coasts.
Cyclists and pedestrians are asked to consider postponing their journey until conditions improve as the full brunt of the storm hits the country tomorrow, Tuesday, though it will continue for a time into Wednesday.
"Take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle," the Road Safety Authority said.
It has also urged drivers to take extra care around cyclists and to leave a greater distance between their vehicles and others on the road. Falling or fallen debris is also expected to be a hazard for all road users.
The RSA has also told drivers they "need to slow down in wet weather conditions, to avoid the risk of aquaplaning".
