The Garda is warning cyclists about the storm force winds about to batter most of the country.
With an extreme weather warning urging even motorists to avoid any unnecessary travel by road, cyclists’ training and commuting plans across much of the country are also set for a battering.
Met Eireann, the Garda and some local authorities have all issued extreme weather alerts urging the public to exercise great caution this afternoon, Tuesday, and tonight.
And the Garda warning singled out cyclists as a group of road users that needed to be especially careful.
The key event looks set to come in shape of the high winds that will accompany Storm Barney, which was due to lash much of the Republic from around lunchtime.
“Barney will be a fast-moving storm, bringing locally strong winds to southern Ireland and the southern UK beginning midday Tuesday and continuing into Tuesday night,” said meteorologist Eric Leister.
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A ‘status orange’ wind warning has been issued for Dublin, Wicklow, Galway, Clare, Kerry and Limerick.
That warning, which stays in place until 9pm on Tuesday, means southwest winds will reach speeds of 60 to 75kmph and gust in the 100-125kmph range.
And a status yellow warning has been issued for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford lasting until 8pm.
“West to southwest winds will reach mean speeds of 55 to 65 km/hr and gusts of 90 to 110 km/hr during Tuesday afternoon,” Met Éireann said of the conditions in the status yellow counties.
The Garda said road users needed to slow down and take extra care.
“With high south westerly winds forecast motorists are advised to slow down, maintain a safe driving distance and always expect the unexpected,” the Garda said in its public appeal.
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“Gardaí are advising drivers of high sided vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists who are particularly vulnerable to strong winds to take extra care.
“Road users are advised to contact local Gardaí if they come across any fallen or falling debris across the road network.
“Never stop on a motorway to remove debris. Always allow extra time for your journey.”
Clare County Council said with high winds expected along coastal areas and in the west generally, it was advising people to avoid unnecessary travel.
"High winds are forecast later today over the south western and western fringes of the country,” said senior engineer Paul Moroney.
“Co Clare is likely to be affected to a greater extent than most other areas with the impact extending for a considerable distance inland through the afternoon.
"The advice is to defer any planned road journeys during this period unless necessary and to take whatever precautions or measures are normally appropriate during such weather conditions. In particular take care in coastal and exposed areas."
⚠️BE AWARE - Strong winds w/ severe, damaging gusts affecting the southern half of the country this afternoon/eve pic.twitter.com/KEoWagrOG2
— Irish Weather News (@iWeatherNews) November 17, 2015
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