Fallen trees and surface floods accompany strong winds

Jim Thoma from Germany, who is in Ireland doing volunteer work and living in Ballymoney, Gorey, Co Wexford, gets a close-up view of the waves on Arklow's south beach as winds lash the east coast. Photograph: Garry O'Neill

STRONG WINDS experienced in the east over recent days were part of the same weather system that has caused flooding in parts of Britain.ÉANNA Ó CAOLLAÍ

Some parts of Cornwall were several feet below water yesterday with landslides blocking train routes and roads.

Ireland escaped much of the disruption, but strong gusts led to reports of fallen trees on some roads and surface flooding in Wicklow and Dublin.

Met Éireann said the strongest winds recorded in the Dublin area on Tuesday night reached 30 knots an hour, gusting to 50 knots an hour. Gusts of 55 knots an hour were recorded at Malin Head, Co Donegal.

Winds between 28 and 33 knots an hour are defined by Met Éireann as “near gales” and have only a moderate impact.

A cold weather system early next week could result in some snow on higher ground. Sub-zero temperatures are predicted from Sunday night along with widespread frost.

The weather is expected to be generally colder and drier but with rain, hail and sleet in some areas. Some higher areas may also see snow.

Winds are expected to pick up again over Ireland in the coming days with some heavy showers, particularly in the south.

The pressure system over Ireland will remain low over the weekend but will move away on Sunday, when drier and brighter conditions are forecast to spread from the north and east