A STATUS YELLOW wind warning will be in place for Ireland all day Sunday and into Monday morning, as Storm Isha is to hit just as temperatures become milder. 

Met Éireann is warning of the potential for significant coastal waves, difficult travelling conditions, and debris caused by strong wings. 

A Status Orange wind warning has been issued for Northern Ireland from 6pm on Sunday until 9am on Monday, as Storm Isha will bring spells of very strong winds there.

Wintry weather continue throughout the weekend, as cold temperatures show no let up, Met Éireann has said.

A yellow ice warning was place in Northern Ireland’s counties this morning.

Tonight is forecast to be cloudy with rain returning in the west and spreading eastwards across the country overnight.

After a cold start, it will turn milder with the rain as temperatures rise to between 4 and 7 degrees throughout the night. Blustery southerly winds are also expected.

Tomorrow will be a much milder day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle.

Some dry spells will develop in the afternoon but a more persistent spell of rain will spread from the west again tomorrow evening.

It is to be noticeably windier, the national forecaster says, with fresh to strong southerly winds and highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees.

It’s forecast to be a wet start to tomorrow night with widespread rain and lowest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees. 

Sunday is expected to be wet and windy with heavy rain spreading from the southwest and strong to near gale force and gusty southerly winds developing. Gales will develop on some coasts, as well. 

Sunday night is due to continue to be very wet and windy with very strong and gusty southwest winds and gales on coasts. Widespread heavy showers will gradually become more scattered overnight as winds veer westerly. 

Warning to motorists

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution on Sunday and Monday as Storm Isha hits the country. 

It has issued the following advice to motorists on foot of the weather warnings:

• Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
• Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles, as they generate a considerable amount of spray, which reduces your visibility. Hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
• If the road ahead is flooded, choose another route. Do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
• Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes.
• Be safe. Be seen. Drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users.
• Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected.
• Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
• Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
• Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as people cycling and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.

The RSA has also issued advice to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists:

• Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
• People cycling should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back) and by wearing clothes that help you be seen on your bike. Consider wearing high visibility material.
• Take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions, as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
• Be safe. Be seen. Visibility and light are reduced in poor weather conditions. Keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing and consider wearing high visibility material.

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