New weather alert issued as Storm Jorge set to strike this weekend

The relentless storms of recent weeks will continue this weekend, as Met Eireann has issued a series of weather warnings associated with Storm Jorge. 

The storm (pronounced Hor-hay) will bring wet and very windy conditions on Friday and Saturday, with a status yellow wind warning in place for counties including Offaly and Westmeath from 9am on Saturday until 3am on Sunday. 

Communities battling flooding will also be dismayed to learn that further heavy rainfall is on the way. A status yellow rainfall warning is in place for Munster, Connacht and Donegal throughout Friday and Saturday. 

Met Eireann said there will be rainfall accumulations of 20 to 30mm on Friday and Saturday, with the heaviest spells of rain happening in Kerry, where 40 to 50mm is possible. 

The national metereological service said this rain will mean a continuing risk of flooding, "due to already saturated ground and elevated river levels". 

It will also be cold over the weekend, with maximum daytime temperatures of just 3 to 6 degrees on Saturday.