Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
157. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the development of the national river catchment model to assist with flood prediction alerts and the delivery of additional weather radars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49038/23]
View answerMet Éireann’s Flood Forecasting Centre (FFC) has successfully developed national-scale river forecasting model for the state, with the capacity to model and monitor flood risk across 36 river catchments. This research and development work to select, trial, and test these models is based on established international practices and standards for national and catchment-scale flood forecasting.
Following a successful trial period of the river catchment models, the FFC is expected to transition into a pre-operational phase in the coming months, subject to final approval by the National Flood Forecasting Warning Service Steering Committee.
At present, the FFC maintains and operates the river modelling systems, with the information derived from these systems serving as the basis for the guidance, advice and services related to river flooding provided by the FFC. These products and associated guidance and advice are intended to provide key stakeholders with information about potential river flood risks over the upcoming days.
Met Éireann has a strategic development plan to upgrade and expand the national weather radar network over the next ten years. During this period, the number of radars will triple, from two to six, covering key areas across the country to ensure optimal weather radar coverage and provide more accurate rainfall information to the Irish public and Met Éireann’s forecasters. The first step in this plan was the upgrade of the weather radar at Shannon, which became operational on 13 October 2023. Further information available on the press release at:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b7650-met-eireann-launches-new-advanced-weather-radar-system-at-shannon-airport/
