LAST UPDATE | 12 Mar

A WET AND blustery day is on the cards, with Status Yellow warnings for rain and strong winds in place across much of the country.

The nationwide wind warning came into effect at midnight and will remain in place until 6pm this evening.

The strong winds have been having an impact at Dublin Airport and are causing some disruption to flight operations this morning.

As of 9.30am, eight inbound aircraft have performed go-arounds, while three inbound flights have diverted to other airports.

Dublin Airport added that because wind conditions are set to remain “challenging for the remainder of the morning, further disruption is possible”.

Passengers have been advised to contact their airline directly for latest updates on the status of their flight.

DAA spokesperson Graeme McQueen told RTÉ that after 1pm, there should be no further weather-related disruption.

But he added that current wind levels are “particularly bad for smaller, propeller aircraft which serve regional airports in the UK in particular”.

Aeroplane at a rain-soaked Dublin Airport this morning DAA DAA

Meanwhile, a separate yellow rain warning is in place until 3pm for 21 counties: Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow and all of Connacht.

Met Éireann warned that heavy downpours could lead to spot flooding and poor visibility, while strong and gusty southwesterly winds may make travelling difficult and bring the risk of fallen branches or loose debris.

Forecasters said spells of heavy rain will move in from the west and northwest this morning, with some areas likely to see spot flooding and difficult driving conditions.

Elsewhere, a Status Yellow warning for snow and ice was issued this morning for 11 counties: Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford and Wicklow.

This alert will come into place at 9pm tonight and remain in place until 9am tomorrow morning, with Met Éireann forecasting that showers may fall as sleet or snow, with some accumulations possible, mainly on high ground.

National forecast

The rain will gradually clear towards the southeast later this afternoon, but blustery showers will follow behind.

Temperatures will reach between 4 and 8 degrees in the north and west, and 9 to 12 degrees in the south and east.

Conditions will turn colder tonight, with clear spells and scattered showers, some heavy and possibly thundery.

In parts of the northwest and on higher ground, those showers could fall as a mix of rain, hail and sleet, with a chance of temporary lying snow.

Overnight temperatures are expected to drop to between 0 and 3 degrees, with strong southwesterly winds and gales along Atlantic coasts.

Friday is set to stay cold and breezy with sunny spells and scattered showers, some wintry early in the day before turning mostly to rain or hail.

Daytime highs will reach just 5 to 8 degrees, and the wind chill will likely make it feel even colder.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Saturday will start fairly dry in the east before cloud and rain spread from the west during the afternoon.

Sunday will bring more cool and breezy conditions with sunny spells and blustery showers, some turning wintry at times.