LAST UPDATE | 26 Dec 2023

WEATHER WARNINGS WILL be in place for the entire island of Ireland over the next two days as Storm Gerrit brings heavy rain and strong winds.

A status yellow warning comes into effect at 8pm tonight for all counties covered by Met Éireann.

It has been upgraded to orange for Kerry and West Cork, where “very heavy rain” is expected overnight, “followed by intense heavy showers tomorrow”.

The warnings are in effect until late Wednesday. Travel disruption is expected, with Ryanair warning that high winds could potentially cause delays.

Met Éireann is warning that heavy rain tonight could cause localised flooding, and strong southernly winds combined with spring tides could lead to coastal flooding.

Temperatures will fall to between 1 and 4 degrees overnight, before warming rapidly to as high as 10 degrees by dawn on Wednesday.

Squally showers and strong winds are expected to continue through Wednesday.

An additional status orange wind warning has been issued for Galway, which comes into effect at 6pm on Wednesday and lasts until 6am on Thursday morning.

Strong winds coupled with spring tides are likely to cause coastal flooding, Met Éireann says.

A yellow Wind warning for Clare, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo will also remain in place until 4pm on Thursday.

“Southwest winds veering westerly will be strong and gusty at times,” the forecast reads.

“A combination of spring tides, large waves and strong winds may result in some coastal flooding.”

Storm Gerrit in the Atlantic at 3pm today. EUMETSAT EUMETSAT

The warning is extended to Northern Ireland from 10am tomorrow, with the UK Met Office advising that the storm is likely to cause some disruption.

Cork County Council said in a statement that its Severe Weather Assessment Team convened this afternoon.

Crews were deployed to “check and clear inlets and gullies”, with sandbag and pumping arrangements put into place in locations prone to flooding.

The council is also advising motorists to exercise extreme caution.

The Connacht Tribune reports that some public carparks are being closed in Galway.

The warnings in place on Wednesday.

Road users have been advised ahead of the warnings to exercise caution while using the roads today and tomorrow by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

Motorists have been told to slow down and observe good braking distance, especially behind heavy-goods vehicles and on high-speed roads.

Drivers should also be cautious of falling or fallen debris, cross winds and heavy rain and should use dipped headlights at all times.

Other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, are reminded to use the right side of the road, wear hi-vis jackets and lights where possible and to be cautious when crossing the road in poor weather.

Includes reporting by Muiris O’Cearbhaill