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Ireland Emerging From Storm Ashley Effect

21st October 2024
Summertime for junior sailing at Rosmoney in Clew Bay for Mayo SC
Summertime for junior sailing at Rosmoney in Clew Bay for Mayo SC

We talk of Mayo as being on Ireland and Europe's Atlantic Weather frontier, but as Sunday's Storm Ashley huffs and puffs into the nor'easterly distance, it's good to remember - as our header photo shows – that a good day in Mayo often seems better than a good day anywhere else.

That said, Ashley was a classic introduction to the named storm season, and a bit of reality is introduced by this screen-grab of the Mayo SC anemometer around 03:30 hrs on Sunday morning. That was by no means the peak.

Storm Ashley building up. Photo: Pierce PurcellStorm Ashley building up. Photo: Pierce Purcell

Published in Weather
WM Nixon

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WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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About Afloat.ie – Weather

At Afloat.ie – Weather, we provide timely marine and coastal weather updates relevant to Ireland’s sailing, boating, fishing and watersports communities. The page features real-time reports, storm alerts, forecasts and climate-related developments that help readers stay informed about changing conditions around the Irish coast and offshore waters. From wind patterns and wave activity to severe weather advisories, our coverage draws on trusted sources such as Met Éireann and recognised maritime authorities.

We highlight significant events — like winter storms, heat anomalies or shifts in sea temperatures — with clear, accessible summaries and links to further detail when available. Our aim is to support safer maritime activity by sharing alerts, developments and relevant commentary as they arise. While we don’t generate forecasts in-house, we curate and reference authoritative information so users can quickly spot issues that may affect planning or navigation.

Readers turn to this section for storm warnings, weather-related incidents, research news and emerging climate impacts on Irish waters. It’s a practical resource for staying aware of conditions without claiming to replace official forecasting services.