Six counties brace for 'severe gusts' and 'hazardous' driving conditions

The alert is in place from 1pm until 9pm today in Clare, Galway and Mayo.

The warning also extends to Leitrim, Donegal, and Sligo from 1pm today until 6am Thursday.

The national forecaster said that “very strong southwest winds” will lead to severe gusts along the coast with a possibility of large waves overtopping.

Motorists are urged to be vigilant in exposed areas as the winds will likely cause “hazardous” driving conditions in these counties, with a high risk of trees falling.

Meanwhile, a separate status yellow strong gale warning has been issued for coastal areas around Ireland from 12pm today until 6am tomorrow morning.

“Southwest winds, veering west to northwest will increase to gale force 8 on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea, reaching strong gale force 9 at times from Slyne Head to Erris Head to Bloody Foreland,” Met Éireann said.

Gardaí added: “Wet and windy conditions across much of the roads network this morning with further heavy showers forecast during the day. Reduce speed, drive to the conditions and stay safe.”

It will be windy today with widespread heavy showers, merging to longer bursts of rain in some places, with the chance of hail and thunder later in the day.

Met Éireann said westerly winds will increase strong to near gale force and gusty, with some severe gusts, especially along Atlantic coasts.

Some sunny spells are expected too with highest temperatures ranging between eight to 11 degrees, feeling cooler along the western coast.

Showers will become mainly confined to northern areas tonight, with drier and clearer weather developing elsewhere.

However, it will feel very cold with strong and gusty winds in lowest temperatures of one to four degrees.

Met Éireann said tomorrow will bring a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, with a chance of hail or sleet on high ground and highest temperatures of seven to ten degrees with added wind chill factor.

And Friday will see a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, with the chance of some wintry showers occurring mainly on hills and mountains while highest temperatures will reach six to nine degrees.

Meanwhile, Saturday will be dry and sunny across much of the country with just light variable breezes and highest temperatures of seven to 11 degrees.

But it will turn wet and windy on Sunday for most of the day with localised flooding. It will however feel milder with highs of 12 to 14 degrees.