Update:
Friday, 2.35pm
Shannon Airport – Shannon Airport has been notified of delays to some air services due to the impact of Storm Eunice in Ireland and the UK.
While the 8.50pm Aer Lingus service from Shannon to Heathrow (EI388) will operate normally tonight, this afternoon’s 4.30pm Heathrow service (EI386) has been cancelled.
The Ryanair Gatwick service (FR1182) due to depart at 11.00am this morning will now depart at 4.20pm. The departure of the Ryanair Alicante service (FR4158) due to depart at 3.40pm has been delayed by one hour.
Nandi O’Sullivan, Head of Communications with Shannon Group said: “We will continue to monitor the impact of Storm Eunice and advise intending passengers to check with their airline directly for the most up-to-date flight information.”
Friday, 1.05pm
Sleet and hail showers sweeping across North Clare. Current temperature is 2C.
Friday, 11.50am
The weather warnings for Clare have now been downgraded to Status Yellow.
A Status Yellow snow and ice warning has been issued for Ireland
Met Éireann is warning pf falls of sleet and snow on Friday and Saturday with accumulations in some areas and icy stretches leading to hazardous driving conditions.
A Status Yellow wind warning remains in place for Clare. Northwest winds backing westerly will reach mean speeds of 50 to 65km/h with gusts of up to 110km/h. Coastal flooding is possible.
Friday, 11.25am
Travel – Bus Éireann services in County Clare have returned to their normal scheduled times as of 10am this morning.
Limited further cancellations are in place throughout the day, more information can be found at www.buseireann.ie.
Friday, 10.20am
Cables reported down on the N67 road between Bealaha and Doonbeg. Believed to be telephone cables.
Friday, 10.10am
Hail showers reported in parts of North Clare.
Friday, 9.30am
Clare appears to have escaped the worst of Storm Eunice however strong winds are still battering the county’s west coast.
The Status Red wind warning for the county was lifted at 8.00am however a Status Orange warning remains in place for the county.
A Status Red wind warning also remains in place for sea areas along the west coast where winds are reported to be strong and dangerous
Met Éireann says: “Storm Eunice will track quickly over Ireland tonight and Friday morning bringing severe and damaging winds. Southwest winds veering northwest will reach mean speeds in excess of 80 km/h with gusts in excess of 130 km/h. Some coastal flooding, especially at high tide.”
With over 55,000 customers without electricity across the county this morning (8.45am) no outages have been reported in Clare.
It’s still advisable to remain clear of coastal areas for the remainder of the morning at least.
Thursday, 10.35pm
Bus Éireann services in County Clare will be suspended on Friday morning, 18 February, between 01:00 (am) until 10:00 (am).
This suspension will also apply to all routes operating into or out of the status red warning area.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will endeavour to recommence services earlier should the red weather warning be lifted earlier than expected. We will be advising customers of any further updates on www.buseireann.ie and on our social media channels and local and regional media will receive any updates,” the company said.
Thursday, 10.15pm
HSE Clare – Due to the Status Red wind warning issued by Met Éireann for Clare between 3am until 8am on Friday February 18th, all outpatient appointments and elective procedures in Ennis Hospital are being cancelled tomorrow. Impacted patients are being contacted directly by Ennis Hospital.
Vaccination clinics at the West County Hotel, Ennis are also postponed. Anyone affected by these cancellations will be notified as soon as possible about a rescheduled date.
The Medical Assessment Unit in Ennis Hospital will operate as normal, as will the Injury Unit which will open from 8am to 8pm.
Services at all other hospital sites in the Mid-West; University Hospital Limerick, Nenagh Hospital, St John’s Hospital, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital and University Maternity Hospital Limerick will operate as normal.
Keep up to date with @HSELive @ULHospitals on Twitter and visit www.hse.ie for all the latest regarding our services.
Thursday, 10.15pm
Banking – Due to Storm Eunice and the red weather warning issued for Clare, Bank of Ireland branches in the county will open at 11.00am Friday, 18th February.
A spokesman said: “The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. Customers can continue to use our digital banking channels or contact us here
Thursday, 6.15pm
HSE -HSE Mid West Community Healthcare wishes to advise that all scheduled appointments in Co. Clare are cancelled for the full day on Friday, February 18th, across our Mental Health, Older Persons and Primary Care services.
We are endeavouring to contact everyone impacted by this decision. If you have not been contacted by the HSE, and if you have a query related to your appointment, please contact the service you were due to attend on Friday for the latest information.
Limited COVID-19 testing will take place in Ennis from 12:30 on Friday for those who have appointments.
All decisions are being kept under review. We advise people to keep up-to-date via the HSE website and local media. A further update will be issued on Friday at 1p.m.
Thursday, 5.22pm
The Department of Education is advising that schools in counties where Status Red wind warnings are in place and in counties where Status Orange Snow warnings are in place should not open tomorrow 18 February.
This now includes Clare and Waterford who have been issued with Status Red wind warnings.
Remote teaching and learning should commence where possible, in line with schools’ remote teaching and learning plans.
All schools should keep up-to-date with the current weather warnings which are carried on all national and local news bulletins and in particular any change in the status warning for their area.
Thursday, 5.05pm
The Irish Coast Guard is appealing to all mariners and coastal communities to be mindful of the severe weather warnings and to note the imminent arrival of Storm Eunice. The Coast Guard is also appealing to anybody considering any form of coastal or open water recreation to be mindful of the risk posed by forecasted Storm conditions.
Walkers are advised to avoid any exposed areas, including seafront and cliff walkways, as they may be hit by sudden gusts, exposing themselves to unnecessary danger.
All other forms of open water recreation should be avoided, including by experienced practitioners, as it may result in arousing public concerns and causing rescue services to be alerted.
Met Éireann has issued a red wind warning for Storm Eunice for Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford the highest level of warning, with an orange snow warning for several northern and western counties. Along with the extremely strong and damaging winds, Storm Eunice will also bring spells of heavy rain and snow leading to challenging and disruptive travel conditions.
“Remember Stay back, Stay high, Stay dry. If you see somebody in trouble on the water or on the coast dial 112 or use marine VHF channel 16, and ask for the Coast Guard”
Thursday, 4.40pm – Clare has now been issued with at Status Red wind warning.
Storm Eunice will track quickly over Ireland tonight and Friday morning bringing severe and damaging winds. Southwest winds veering northwest will reach mean speeds in excess of 80 km/h with gusts in excess of 130 km/h. Some coastal flooding, especially at high tide.
The Status Red warning comes into effect from 3.00am and remain in place until 8.00am on Friday 18th February, 2022.
Clare County Council advises all members of the public to stay at home and avoid all unnecessary travel.
High Tides on Friday (time and height)
Kilbaha – 5.59am – 4.29m
Seafield, Quilty – 6.01am – 4.63m
Liscannor 6.04am – 4.74m
Carrigaholt – 6.06am – 4.87m
Kilrush 6.29am – 4.97m
Thursday, 2.45pm – Clare County Council is also advising members of the public to avoid unnecessary travel where possible, but if you must travel, please slow down and take care when driving, and charge mobile phones before travelling. It is also advised to secure any street or outdoor furniture.
The public are warned electricity wires are always live, never approach. If you see fallen or damaged wires, keep clear and phone ESB Networks immediately on 1800-372999 / 021-2382410.
After the Status Orange warning, motorists should be aware that fallen trees, debris, localised flooding, and surface water can be expected on the roads in coastal areas and motorists should proceed with extreme caution.
The Council’s emergency phone number is 087-4169496 and the main Council Customer Support line will be open from 8.00am on Friday, 18th February, at 065-6821616.
For life-at-risk situations please dial 999 or 112.
Clare County Council will be monitoring the situation for any changes in the weather forecast and will issue further updates. In addition, please check Met Éireann for updates.
Met Éireann has issued Status Orange wind warning for Co Clare for Friday as well as a Status Yellow rain and snow alert and Status Red marine weather weather for coastal areas.
The weather service has said that Storm Eunice will track over Ireland on Thursday night and on Friday bringing very strong winds and falls of heavy rain, sleet and snow.
The storm will likely bring a risk of fallen trees from strong winds and hazardous driving conditions and possibly disruption to transport from heavy rain and snow.
Commenting on the possibility of coastal impacts, Met Éireann’s hydrometeorologist Jennifer Canavan said: “We’re in a period of high tides at the moment and this in combination with strong winds and stormy conditions means there is a high risk of large coastal waves and coastal flooding on Friday, especially along southern and eastern coasts. As such we’re urging people to take extreme care near coastal areas and paths.”
While a Status Yellow warning will remain in place for the county, the Clare coastline could experience more severe weather and is subject to a Status Orange alert.
Met Éireann says some disruption is likely along with a possibility of coastal and spot flooding.
Warnings will be updated on Thursday morning however, as it stands, the current warning will take effect from 1:00am on Friday and remain in place until 3:00pm on Friday.
*For the most accurate and up to date forecast for your area on the Island of Ireland go to met.ie. The latest weather advisories and warnings for Ireland are on the Met Éireann Warnings page. These services and more are available on our free app – available from the App store for iPhone, and Play store for Android.