Met Eireann extends immediate weather warning to all of Ireland as awful conditions barrel in

Met Eireann has extended the status yellow wind warning to the entire country until 6pm this evening as awful weather barrels in.

Just eight counties had been included in the original warning but after a change, all of the Republic is now under the alert until 6pm.

The wind warning reads: "Southeasterly winds veering southwesterly will reach mean speeds of 50 to 65km/h with gusts of 90 to 110km/h, higher in some coastal areas.

"There is a risk of coastal flooding where winds are onshore."

A horrid weekend is in store for the entire country with plenty of rain expected a long with the wind.

A cyclist is hit by a wave as he cycles along the shoreline in Saltcoats on the west coast of North Ayrshire as gusts of up to 70mph could hit coastal areas as Storm Ellen moves on and leaves more wet and windy weather in its wake (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

A Met Eireann forecaster said: "There'll be further outbreaks of rain this afternoon, heavy at times. Very windy too with strong to near gale force southeasterly winds with gales or strong gales in some coastal parts, with a risk of coastal flooding where winds are onshore.

"The rain will clear northeastwards through the afternoon and early evening with a scattering of showers following and the winds will veer southwesterly and start to ease from the south through the evening. Highest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees.

"There'll be some heavy showers tonight in western parts, but apart from a few isolated showers, it will be mainly dry elsewhere with some clear spells. South to southwest winds will pick up mostly fresh to strong and gusty, reaching gale force for a time in coastal parts of the west and north, but gradually tending to moderate overnight. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees."