Weather expert explains why Storm Jocelyn may have sounded worse than Isha

Storm Jocelyn ripped through Ireland amid a series of Status Orange and Yellow wind warnings from Met Éireann covering much of the country.

While forecasters had said Storm Jocelyn would not be as bad as Storm Isha, which was the subject of some Status Red warnings on Sunday evening, some people felt like Jocelyn was worse.

In fact, one weather station in Carlow did record a higher gust speed during Jocelyn than Isha but overall Storm Isha was worse.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather explained just why Jocelyn would have sounded worse to some people, and it's all to do with where they live.

He posted early on Tuesday evening: "Some saying Storm Jocelyn is worse than Isha but no official station has recorded stronger winds so far, most are well behind. A private station that is elevated in Moneypoint has seen a gust of 128kmh, the max on Sunday was 135kmh so nearly as strong there. 122kmh at Mace Head."

He went on to add: "You can compare wind speeds from official stations on Sunday and today [during Storm Jocelyn] on these tables. Only Oak Park in Carlow has seen higher gust. However, wind direction is more West at many stations and can mean different impacts and how people hear the wind at their homes," he explained."

You can compare wind speeds from official stations on Sunday and today on these tables. Only Oak Park in Carlow has seen higher gust. However wind direction is more West at many stations and can mean different impacts and how people hear the wind at their homes. #StormJocelyn pic.twitter.com/bf7P2V7TLD

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 23, 2024

In its outlook for the rest of the week, Met Éireann says it's a "mixed picture with driest conditions away from the West and Northwest."

They added: "Generally dry today [Wednesday] with a mix of cloud, sunny spells and scattered showers, mainly over the northern half of the country. Brisk westerly winds this morning in the north, light to moderate elsewhere but easing light southerly through the day. Highest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees. Becoming cloudier in the southwest this evening, with patchy rain and drizzle developing.

"Dry in many areas at first tonight but cloud, rain and drizzle will continue move in from the southwest bringing dull and misty conditions. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees, coolest early on in Ulster with some frost possible. Light to moderate southerly winds will freshen later."