A Status Orange wind warning for nine counties is coming into place this morning as Storm Dennis batters Ireland.
The alert was issued by Met Eireann at 1.30pm yesterday, affecting Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick from 10am.
It will expire at 10pm tonight, as long as it's not extended by weather chiefs throughout the day.
The caution reads: “Status Orange - Wind warning for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick Southwest winds with mean speeds of 60 to 80 km/h with severe gusts of up to 120km/h, strongest on exposed hills and coasts, with a risk of coastal flooding.”
It comes after Storm Dennis wreaked havoc across Ireland yesterday, with more awful conditions expected today.
A forecaster said: “The effects of Storm Dennis will continue today. It will be very windy everywhere with strong and very gusty southwest winds.
“It will be stormy at times near west and north coasts with gales and severe or damaging gusts and a risk of coastal flooding.
“Sunshine and widespread heavy squally showers with a risk of hail and thunder. Highest temperatures of 6C to 9C.
“Continuing very windy or stormy early tonight, especially in the west and north, with strong to gale force and very gusty southwest winds.
“Later in the night winds will ease somewhat, but will continue fresh to strong and gusty. Heavy showers of rain and hail will continue with a risk of thunder. Lowest temperatures of 1C to 4C.”
He added: “Monday will be a cold, bright, blustery day with sunny spells and widespread heavy showers of rain or hail with a risk of thunder.
“Highest temperatures of 5C to 8C with mostly fresh, gusty westerly winds, strong at times along coasts.”
