Storm Barra is well on its way to batter the coasts of Ireland over a period of 24 hours - bringing with it, rain, hail, snow and gale force winds.
The extreme weather conditions are due to hit the west coast between 4am and 5am on Tuesday and will rapidly extend across the entire country.
In the run-up to this, showers will die out early on Monday night and it will become dry for a time with a touch of frost in places.
However, later in the night southeast winds will increase to strong and gale force with outbreaks of heavy rain developing in the southwest.
These heavy downpours will then sweep across the country early on Tuesday morning with lowest temperatures ranging from -1C to 3C early in the night.
It’ll become extremely windy on Tuesday as Storm Barra approaches from the Atlantic.
“A band of heavy and squally rain will sweep northeastwards across the country during the morning followed by widespread squally showers,” according to the Irish forecaster.
Falls of sleet and hill snow are likely in places, especially across the northwest during the morning.
Severe and damaging wind gusts are also expected, especially in coastal parts of Munster and Connacht with some disruption possible.
Gale to storm force southeast winds will veer west and later northwest in direction with a possibility of coastal flooding with maximum temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees.
Aoife Kealy, meteorologist at Met Eireann warned that: “Storm Barra will bring dangerous weather conditions across Ireland from early on Tuesday morning, with very strong winds and spells of heavy rain spreading across the country through the afternoon.
“Gusts of around 90km/hr are expected widely inland, with the strongest winds across southern and western areas where we could see gusts reaching 130km/hr or higher along coastal areas.
“Very strong winds in combination with high tides means there is a risk of large coastal waves and coastal flooding, particularly along southern and western parts of the country.
“Driving conditions will be tricky and dangerous at times, with the risk of fallen trees, fallen power lines and flooding from the heavy rain.
“Temporary outdoor structures will be particularly vulnerable to the expected wind gusts.
“We’re advising the public to listen to their local travel advice and to keep a close eye on Met Éireann forecasts and warnings, as they may be updated.”
