LAST UPDATE | 10 Dec 2023

MET ÉIREANN HAS issued several weather warnings for today as Storm Fergus makes landfall, with all but four counties under some form of alert at one stage today.

It comes directly after Storm Elin, and sees orange weather warnings for the west coast, in Galway, Mayo and Clare, with strong on and offshore winds, and potential for flooding.

The Orange warning took effect from 3pm and elapsed at 8pm, and Clare, Galway and Mayo are now under a Status Yellow alert.

There is also the risk of waves overtopping, coupled with high waves and high tides.

Winds reaching up to 85 km/hr in western fringes of Galway have also been observed.

#StormFergus battering Blackrock in Salthill Galway today 💨🌊

🎥@galwaytourism pic.twitter.com/Sg6MuSluyo

— 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 (@galwaytourism) December 10, 2023

Yellow warnings are also in place in Clare, Kerry, Galway, Mayo, and Tipperary until 9pm.

A further yellow wind warning has been issued for Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford,  Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon and Sligo and is in place until 9pm also. 

Gardaí have asked people to avoid Leitrim Village after a small tornado swept through the area.

There is also a Status Yellow wind warning due to come into place at 5pm for counties Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wicklow and this alert is set to expire at 11pm.

Co Cork was also under a Status Yellow wind warning until 6pm.  

There was also a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning in place for Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, which elapsed at 6pm.

The Road Safety Authority have issued advice to drivers, as well as cyclists and pedestrians.

This includes advising motorists to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. 

Pedestrians have been advised to walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths and to take extra care when crossing the road due to strong winds.