Road Safety Weather Alert – Orange and Yellow Weather Warnings for Storm Kathleen

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads on Saturday 6 April as Met Éireann has issued Orange and Yellow weather warnings for Storm Kathleen which will bring gale force southerly winds, with some severe and damaging gusts.

The Orange wind warnings are for Cork, Kerry and Waterford from 7am to 2pm and Mayo and Galway from 9am to 6pm on Saturday, when Storm Kathleen will bring gale-force southerly winds, with severe and damaging gusts. This could lead to very difficult travel conditions, fallen trees, power outages, coastal flooding and wave overtopping.

There is a Yellow wind warning for the whole of Ireland from 5am to 8pm Saturday, when there will be very strong and gusty southerly winds associated with Storm Kathleen. This could lead to some fallen trees, difficult travel conditions , debris, loose objects displaced and some coastal flooding.

Road users in areas affected by the Orange Warning are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.

The following advice is being given to road users on foot of the weather warnings. 

Motorists:

• Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected.
• Watch out for falling / fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
• Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
• Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
• Drive with dipped headlights at all times.
• Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
• Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles, as they generate a considerable amount of spray, which reduces your visibility. Hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
• If the road ahead is flooded, choose another route. Do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
• Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes.
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users.

Advice to Pedestrians, Cyclists and Motorcyclists:

• Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
• Cyclists should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back) and by wearing clothes that help you be seen on your bike. Consider wearing high-visibility material.
• 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.
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Visibility and light are reduced in poor weather conditions. Keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing and consider wearing high visibility material. 

For advice on severe weather driving tips, please see severe weather advice on the RSA website or check out the RSA Facebook and Twitter pages. Please also see our severe weather warning videos created in collaboration with Teresa Mannion here. See advice advice on driving in strong winds here.

For more weather updates, visit Met Eireann’s website: www.met.ie