Met Office issues yellow weather warning for heavy rain across Northern Ireland

Image: Anne Kelly

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain across Northern Ireland this weekend, warning that the conditions may cause some disruption overnight on Saturday 18 October into Sunday 19 October.

The warning is in place from midnight until midday on Sunday (00:00 – 12:00 BST), with forecasters predicting that the heaviest rain will fall in the southeast of the region, particularly around the Mourne Mountains.

A Met Office spokesperson said:

“Heavy rain will spread across the whole of Northern Ireland on Saturday night, gradually clearing to the east on Sunday morning.

“The rain will be heaviest in the southeast, covered by the warning area, where 20–30 mm is expected to accumulate widely.

“Over the Mournes 60–100 mm could build up, much of this falling in the early hours of Sunday morning.”

The Met Office has cautioned that the intense rainfall could lead to surface water flooding, difficult driving conditions, and possible travel disruption in some areas.

Motorists are being urged to allow extra time for journeys, while residents in low-lying or flood-prone areas are advised to remain alert for potential flooding impacts.

Further updates will be issued by the Met Office as the weather system approaches.