IT IS CERTAINLY not the day for an umbrella despite there being heavy showers.

Met Eireann has issued a level orange weather warning, telling people to be prepared for widespread heavy showers this afternoon. There is also a possibility of  thundery showers and hail.

Strong winds

However, today it will be very windy with west to northwest winds increasing strong and gusty. Winds will be extremely strong near west and south coasts with damaging gusts of up to 130 km/hr (80 mph) possible.

It will be particularly windy in coastal areas of Connacht, Munster and Leinster today, but especially in the southwest.

Today’s highest temperatures of 9 to 12 Celsius.

Heavy showers

If you’re heading out tonight, be prepared for heavy showers, some possibly thundery. It will continue to be windy for much of the night with strong, gusty west to northwest winds.

However, Met Eireann says winds will gradually ease overnight. Tonight’s temperatures will drop to 2 to 6 Celsius.

Got any good photos of mother nature flexing her muscles today, why not send them into us at tips@thejournal.ie.

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Batten down the hatches, there’s a storm a comin’>