Ireland’s national meteorological service, Met Éireann, is developing a new, more localized weather alert system set to roll out later in 2026. The new system will replace current county-wide warnings with alerts based on sub-county zones.
More Precise Warnings on the Horizon
The forecaster is creating a polygon-based system designed to issue warnings for specific areas, rather than entire counties. Met Éireann stated this enhanced localization will provide “clearer direction to those at risk and support more targeted emergency preparedness.”
The change was welcomed by Laois Fine Gael TD Willie Aird, who argued the current system is often too broad for Ireland’s varied landscape. He explained that Status Orange or Red alerts are sometimes issued for entire counties when severe conditions are only present in specific areas, leading to unnecessary disruption, including school closures.
Deputy Aird cited January 2025’s heavy snowfall as an example, noting that while high ground areas of Laois, Kilkenny, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, and Tipperary experienced red alert conditions, lower-lying areas within those counties saw mostly rain. He stated, “A county-wide warning simply does not reflect that reality.”
The new system, according to Deputy Aird, will “bring clarity” and “end the unnecessary disruption that blanket county warnings can cause” while still providing essential safety information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is changing with Met Éireann’s weather warnings?
Met Éireann is moving from county-wide weather warnings to a more localized system based on sub-county zones using a polygon-based approach.
When will the new system be implemented?
The aim is to have the new system in place later in 2026.
Why is this change being made?
The current system is considered too broad for Ireland’s varied landscape, sometimes resulting in warnings that don’t accurately reflect the risk in all areas of a county.
As Ireland prepares for a more localized approach to weather warnings, will this increased precision lead to greater public preparedness and a more effective response to severe weather events?
