Code red: severe risk of flooding in coming days

Met Éireann has issued a staus red rainfall warning for Connacht, Donegal, Clare and Kerry. The warning is valid from Friday at 6pm until 3am on Sunday. Incessant falls of heavy rain will occur overnight and for all of Saturday. Accumulations in excess of 70mm are expected, with greater totals on higher ground.

A status orange rainfall warning is in place Cavan, Clare, Cork and Limerick for the same period of time and accumulations of 50 to 70mm are expected.

These warnings follow the yellow rainfall warning on Thursday that accompanied the worst rain seen for years in parts of the southeast.

Very wet and windy conditions will persist throughout the country on Friday night. The western half of the country especially will be prone to flooding due to prolonged amounts of rain there. Southwesterly winds will remain as strong as they were during the daytime, if not stronger in some places. Lowest temperatures 9°C to 11°.

Another "exceptionally wet and windy day" is in store for most parts of the country on Saturday. Extended periods of torrential rain in the northwest and west are likely to bring more widespread flooding to these areas.

Although rain in southeastern counties will become lighter and more intermittent, there will be little or no abatement to the very strong, southwesterly winds.

Sunday will see some reprieve when the rain finally clears, leaving just isolated showers in the north and northwest. Sunny spells will develop and northwest to west winds will continue to moderate. However, it will feel rather cool.

Unfortunately, the rain will return on Sunday night. This will maintain the threat of flooding in many areas.

Tillage editor Andy Doyle says the arrival of a wet start to December means an end to winter planting and the potential to plough for spring crops only when conditions permit. Read Andy's top tips for getting the benefit from winter ploughing here.

Livestock specialist Nathan Tuffy writes that with cattle housed for the winter, now is the time to begin assessing fat cover on finished animals.

In dairy Aidan Brennan cautions that making cost savings should be prioritised over feeding dry cows the best quality silage. While the silage was made on the farm and has been paid for, it is still a cost as it could be sold now or fed next year in lieu of meal.

Sheep specialist Darren Carty writes that getting fields grazed out and closed in a rotational manner is priority once fields get back to normal after the heavy rains.

Read more

'Worst rain seen in this part of the country in years'