MET ÉIREANN HAS issued a Status Yellow wind warning for Donegal and Mayo, which comes into effect this afternoon.

The forecaster has warned that strong to gale-force southwesterly winds set will bring difficult travel conditions and the risk of debris being blown around.

The alert is in place from 4pm today until 6am tomorrow.

Elsewhere, conditions today will stay mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, before a heavier band of rain clears eastwards this afternoon, followed by sunny spells and isolated showers.

Winds will continue to strengthen through the day, reaching gale force along western and northwestern coasts.

Highest temperatures across the country with range from 11 to 15 degrees, turning cooler after the rain clears.

Tonight, it will be very windy in the west and northwest, with scattered heavy showers and the chance of hail. Temperatures will dip to as low as five degrees.

Tomorrow will be a colder, blustery day nationwide, with widespread showers, some heavy.

There will also be a risk of hail and isolated thunderstorms.

Western and northwestern counties will turn cloudier later as showers merge into longer spells of rain.

The weekend will stay unsettled and chilly, with a mix of showers, sunny spells, and a risk of frost or icy patches overnight.

Sunday will start cold and bright, before rain moves in from the west.