Storm Ciara sweeps in from the Atlantic to Derry and North West
Storm Ciara has come with a further warning for rain between 3 pm this afternoon, Saturday, February 7, until midnight on Sunday, February 8.
The Met Office expects 20 to 40 mm of rain to fall across Northern Ireland, with up to 80 mm over some areas of higher ground within 18 hours.
Derry and Strabane Council has now announced that its public parks and play parks will be closed to the public from
6 pm this evening, Saturday, February 8 and all day Sunday, February 9, as a precautionary measure in anticipation of Storm Ciara.
The parks and play areas will remain closed for a period on Monday also pending a health and safety inspection.
Council cemeteries will also be closed during this period and open only to facilitate funerals.
On Thursday, forecasters brought the storm’s anticipated arrival time forward to midday on Saturday.
Previously, it was thought the storm would hit Northern Ireland at about 6 pm.
It is set to bring strong and possibly damaging winds, with widespread travel disruption expected. Coastal areas are likely to be affected by large waves and potential flooding.
Gusts of 80 to 100km/h (50-60mph) are likely across inland areas.
They could reach speeds of 115km/h (70mph) and possibly 130km/h (80mph) in exposed hills and coasts.
This is the third locally-named storm of the winter season after Storm Atiyah in December and Storm Brendan last month.
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