Storm Imogen: Five facts about the latest storm causing havoc

The wave swell off the Irish coast. Graphic courtesy of MagicSeaweed.com

Jack Murphy

Storm Imogen is in full swing and it's the south-west of the country that is getting the most battering. It is the ninth winter Atlantic storm to hit Ireland this season.

Here are five facts about the latest storm to hit Ireland:

1. Waves in the west

The west of Ireland is expected to have the biggest waves on the planet while Storm Imogen is in progress.

2. Making waves

Waves on the west coast have been reaching heights of 14m over the past 24 hours, which is equivalent to the height of three double decker buses.

3. Storm season

Parts of Ireland endured the wettest January since 1948 after the dampest December on record. The monitoring station at Dublin Airport recorded 189pc more rainfall than normal levels.

4. Hurricane winds

Fastnet lighthouse off the south-west coast of Cork recorded some of the highest winds during Storm Imogen including sustained hurricane force speeds and gusts of up to 196km/h.

5. We're not alone...

At any moment, approximately 2,000 thunderstorms are taking place somewhere on Earth.

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