A foreword of warning. This weekend sees Storm Darragh come through. It has been upgraded to a Red weather warning for lots of counties around the country. Extreme caution should be taken before going in the water and only those who have experience of surfing storms of this magnitude should venture out and even then I would offer warning. Do not put the lives of the RNLI or others at risk as there are plenty more weekends and plenty more waves in the sea. Even after the storm, there will still be a lot of water moving around and it doesn’t look like the winds die down until Monday bringing some excellent surfing conditions to the west coast for all next week.
East Coast
With the incoming Storm Darragh there will be some strong to very strong wind conditions over the coming days with waves coming from two directions with a small southerly ground swell up to 14 seconds but this is too small for waves but may bring punch to some of the winds swell waves coming down the channel for a change. The waves coming down the channel are going to be coming after the storm with the conditions after the winds have died down to a a still very high 50mph plus so first thing in the morning may be just to dangerous . It should be noted that this is a strong storm and has been classed as a Red Weather warning and care should be exercised if going in the water as the conditions are going to be big and unruly and only very experienced surfers should go in the water. Waves from the north do not offer as much shelter from winds so there will be a lot of water moving around. It may necessitate getting out of the water to reposition as paddling against the current may not be available. Waves could be in the 3-4ft plus range bending into the beach from the north. Waves on Sunday will look like more of the same however it looks like there is more north in the wind meaning that conditions should be a little more cross shore turning onshore later on as the swell drops.
South Coast
Tramore will be blown out on Saturday and Sunday with the winds blowing direct offshore making for dangerous conditions.
South West
Garretstown is looking like it will be maxed out first thing Saturday and the winds don’t look to drop below 50mph cross shore so I would air on the side of caution and suggest giving it a miss. Sunday sees the winds continue with the northerly direction making it cross offshore but the swell is dropping from 3ft to flat later in the day as the winds blow the swell out to sea. Inch Beach in Kerry is a total avoid Saturday and the winds will not make for fun surfing Sunday as the north winds are cross shore with only a small hope of shelter at the north end of the beach under the cliff with 3ft bumpy conditions expected.
West Coast
Lahinch is looking maxed out Saturday so avoid with Sunday showing a swell coming in from the north which will struggle to get into the bay with moderate to strong offshore winds with the best chance for waves early on Sunday but the tide is looking to hamper this with the high not dropping off the rocks until before 12 so it could be too late and the swell too small at that point. Lovely clean waves all week after the storm if you’re in the area!
North West
Strandhill is looking maxed out until well into Sunday as the storm needs time to pass until Sunday evening when the swell calms down but the winds are moderate from the north at all times offering no shelter. Streedagh would have a wave on Sunday after the storm but the north winds will make for messy onshore conditions. In the Bundoran area, everywhere will be maxed out with Sunday offering the best chance of a wave at Rossnowlagh where it will be cross offshore but the winds will be moderate to strong so care should be taken with your board and when crossing the sand. It also looks like the north west will have some excellent conditions all week from Monday onwards.
North Coast
Portrush has had some nice waves Thursday and Friday but it looks like the winds from the north will leave all spots too strong onshore and with big swells making it one to skip.
Surf Safe and Enjoy,
Col,
Surf Improvers