Ireland faces rain and wind alerts as Storm Austen approaches

Met Éireann has issued yellow alerts covering rain and wind across Ireland from 19:00 on 22 October until 10:00 on 23 October 2026.

The forecaster expects periods of heavy rain and stronger winds. It also warned that travel could become difficult and that some places may experience local flooding.

A separate orange marine storm warning applies to waters stretching from Wicklow Head to Valentia between 21:00 and 07:00. The warning concerns marine conditions rather than an orange land-based rain alert from Met Éireann.

Met Éireann identified Storm Austen as the first named storm in the 2026–2027 season. Its forecast places the storm near Ireland’s southern coast between Thursday evening and Friday morning, with heavy rain and strong winds possible across many areas.

The Road Safety Authority said orange rain warnings were in force at periods across 22–23 October for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow. It forecast flooding, very difficult journeys and disruption to public transport in those areas.

The storm also affects parts of the United Kingdom. The Met Office named Storm Austen and issued a yellow wind warning for southern England and south Wales. It forecast possible travel problems, power outages and injuries caused by debris in the affected areas.