A potential ‘weather bomb’ is on the cards for Northern Ireland, as Storm Floris is predicted to hit.
The Met Office has warned of unseasonable ‘disruptive’ conditions on the way.
The storm is expected to hit the six counties from 6am on Monday until early on Tuesday.
A yellow warning has been issued, as strong and potentially dangerous winds are expected. It is expected to affect Northern Ireland, north Wales, northern England, and Scotland, where the strongest winds are likely to be recorded.
Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said winds of 40 to 70mph are expected in parts of Northern Ireland, with some areas possibly experiencing stronger gusts.
Meteorologists warn that Storm Floris has potential to become a “weather bomb”.
This occurs when air pressure falls by 24 millibars or more within 24 hours, as happened during Storm Éowyn in January.
However, Storm Floris is not expected to be as damaging as Storm Éowyn, as its timing, path, and position will be different.
This is the first named storm since Storm Éowyn and will be the sixth to take place in the 2024/25 season.
A number of parks and other beauty spots will remain closed on Monday as a precaution.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council confirmed on social media that the district’s forest parks and trails will be closed due to the “increased likelihood and risks associated with falling branches and debris.”
This includes Castlewellan, Delamont, Kilbroney, Slieve Gullion, and Warrenpoint Municipal Park.
Silent Valley Mountain Park will also remain closed for the duration of the warning, Northern Ireland Water has confirmed.
The Met Office says the weekend will be mostly calm and dry, with a mix of showers and sunshine and temperatures reaching around 20C before the storm arrives.