Irish holidaymakers warned as deadly Storm Kristin batters Spain and Portugal
Irish holidaymakers travelling to Spain or Portugal for the bank holiday weekend might need to pack their raincoats instead of beach towels as both nations are being hammered by a severe storm.Storm Kristin struck central and northern Portugal on Wednesday before moving eastwards into Spain, leading authorities to issue numerous weather warnings - including an uncommon red alert.In Portugal, at least three people have sadly lost their lives, whilst more than 800,000 homes were plunged into darkness as the system swept through the country. Wind speeds reached up to 150km/h, along with heavy rainfall.Turbulent weather is expected to persist in Portugal over the next few days.The storm has now arrived in Spain, where a woman lost her life after a palm tree collapsed on her in Torremolinos on Tuesday. Spain's national weather service AEMET has issued numerous alerts throughout the country, including in holiday destinations favoured by Irish tourists, reports the Irish Mirror.Sections of the northwest are under a Status Red coastal alert, with waves exceeding nine metres and powerful winds predicted. AEMET cautioned: "During the afternoon and night of Friday, waves may exceed nine metres, with very strong winds. Do not approach the first line of the coast! It is very dangerous!"Meanwhile, much of the southeast coastline - where many Irish holiday - is under a combination of Status Yellow and Orange wind alerts. AEMET has warned: "Maritime storm in the Mediterranean, Cantabrian Sea, and Galician Atlantic coast; in the Cantabrian Sea and Galicia, it will be of significant or extraordinary danger."Rain in the peninsula and Balearic Islands, except Saturday when it won't be significant. Snow on Friday and Saturday in high and mountainous areas of northern mainland Spain."Strong or very strong wind gusts in the mainland and Balearic Islands. Temperatures generally normal for the season; frost in high and mountainous areas of northern mainland Spain."Irish holidaymakers are being advised to keep an eye on local weather updates, heed official advice and make necessary preparations.Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content.We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
