Storm Dave Causes Power Outages for 2,000 Homes in Northern Ireland and 18,000 in Republic of Ireland

Storm Dave brought high winds to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, resulting in power outages and travel disruptions. The Met Office in the UK issued a yellow weather warning for wind that took effect at 14:00 BST on Saturday and will remain until 03:00 BST on Sunday. Forecasters indicated that winds could reach up to 80 mph during the evening.

In Northern Ireland, approximately 2,000 homes are without power due to the storm. The warning covers possible damage, power cuts, and travel disruptions. Several council facilities closed on Saturday, and the public was advised to avoid forests, country parks, and nature reserves until the storm passes.

Across the Republic of Ireland, ESB Networks reported that around 18,000 homes, farms, and businesses are without power as of 20:00 local time. Crews are responding to outages in affected areas where conditions allow. Met Éireann issued a yellow weather warning starting at 13:00 local time, set to end at 02:00 on Sunday.

The storm has affected air travel, with 17 flights canceled at Dublin Airport. The airport reported 53 go-arounds and 13 diversions due to wind gusts up to 44 knots. Officials noted challenging wind conditions contributing to these incidents.

Strong winds are forecast to persist through Saturday night and into early Sunday before easing later in the day. A number of councils in both regions announced closures of public facilities and parks in response to the weather. Dublin Airport advised passengers scheduled for late Saturday evening or Sunday morning flights to contact their airlines for updates, citing potential disruptions from displaced aircraft and crews.

The storm's effects highlight ongoing weather monitoring by meteorological services in the region. Residents and travelers in affected areas are urged to follow official advisories for safety.