Ireland on High Alert as Storm Bram Approaches with Severe Winds and Heavy Rain

Ireland is bracing for significant disruption as Storm Bram moves rapidly toward the country, with Met Éireann warning of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and potential flooding over the next 48 hours. The second named storm of the season is expected to make landfall on Monday night, with hazardous conditions forecast to persist throughout Tuesday.

A broad range of weather alerts has now been issued, including Status Orange warnings—the second-highest level—for coastal counties in the south, west, and northwest. Much of the inland and eastern regions remain under Status Yellow warnings for wind and rain.

What began as a series of Yellow alerts has steadily escalated, with several counties upgraded to Orange as the path and intensity of the storm become clearer.

As of the latest advisory, a Status Yellow rain warning is in effect for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford from 9pm tonight until 9am tomorrow. A nationwide Status Yellow wind warning will follow, active from 6am to 9pm on Tuesday.

More severe conditions are anticipated along the coast. A Status Orange wind warning will apply from 7am to 3pm for Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Wexford. A second Orange warning, covering Clare, Limerick, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo, will take effect from 10am to 6pm.

Met Éireann meteorologist Matthew Martin described the storm’s development as “rapid and increasingly concerning,” stating:

“A low-pressure system in the Atlantic is set to deepen fairly quickly as it approaches the southwest coast on Monday night. Initially, we expect a period of heavy rain followed by a swathe of very strong winds. While some uncertainty remains regarding the exact track and intensity, it is likely to be an impactful event, particularly in coastal counties.”

Martin noted that widespread flooding is a key concern, with rain falling on ground already saturated and rivers nearing capacity. High astronomical tides are expected to coincide with strong onshore winds, significantly raising the risk of coastal flooding.

“The high tides will hinder rivers from discharging into the sea, increasing the likelihood of upstream flooding in low-lying areas. We echo the advice of the Irish Coast Guard: Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry,” he added.

Met Éireann has not ruled out further upgrades to weather alerts as confidence in the storm's trajectory increases. The public is urged to monitor forecasts closely.

Questions Over Potential School Closures

Rising parental concern has sparked fresh discussion over possible school closures. A Status Red warning—which has not been issued—would automatically trigger the closure of schools, colleges and childcare facilities. In its absence, responsibility rests with individual school management.

During Storm Amy in October, the Department of Education reiterated its guidance:

• Schools should stay informed on evolving Met Éireann warnings via national and local media.

• School management holds the authority to decide on closures based on local conditions and official guidance.

• When uncertain, schools are advised to err on the side of caution.

• Both primary and post-primary schools must remain vigilant for updates from Met Éireann, local authorities, local broadcasters and emergency services.

• Advice and resources for weather-related planning are available on the Be Winter Ready website.

The department confirmed it will continue to monitor Storm Bram and follow any direction from the National Emergency Coordination Group.

Who Decides If Schools Close?

According to Citizen’s Information, final decisions lie with each school’s management:

“School authorities are best positioned to assess how local conditions affect their ability to open. Parents will be informed by text, email or via the school’s website.”

Schools may use discretionary days—often reserved for planned closures or mid-term adjustments—to compensate for time lost due to weather-related shutdowns.

The Government’s Office of Emergency Planning also emphasises that any closure must prioritise the safety of children. Schools will assess local risks and consult with transport operators where necessary.