Weather warning as Storm Erik on the way
A nationwide 'Status Yellow' weather warning has been issued by Met Éireann as Storm Erik is on the way; while an Orange weather warning is in place for three coastal counties with "severe and damaging" gusts of wind up to 130km/h.
The nationwide warning, which includes Cavan, will come into effect from 5am tomorrow morning (Friday) until 6am on Saturday morning.
The Orange wind warning is in place for Galway and Mayo, from 5am tomorrow morning until 1pm tomorrow afternoon.
Met Éireann is also warning of high seas and coastal flooding along the west coast.
The Orange wind warning is also in place for Co Donegal, valid from 9am tomorrow until 6am on Saturday.
The Road Safety Authority has advised road users to exercise caution on roads while the warnings are in place.
It has asked motorists to check traffic conditions and to expect the unexpected, and advises pedestrians and cyclists to wear bright clothing and take care on roads.
Met Éireann has issued the following warning for Storm Erik:
'Southwest to west winds will reach mean speeds of 50 to 65 km/h with gusts of 80 to 110 km/h. Along exposed Atlantic coasts these values may be exceeded for a while and with very high seas this will give the risk of coastal flooding.
'Valid: Friday 08 February 2019 05:00 to Saturday 09 February 2019 06:00
'Issued: Thursday 07 February 2019 11:00
'Updated: Thursday 07 February 2019 11:00.'
The latest weather forecast, meanwhile, for Cavan and Ulster is as follows:
TOMORROW - FRIDAY 8TH FEBRUARY
Tomorrow, Friday will be a very windy day. Strong to gale-force and gusty south to south-westerly winds will veer south-westerly, with some potentially damaging gusts, especially in the west and north. The rain will clear to scattered showers, some heavy with a risk of hail and thunder. Afternoon highs of 6 to 8 degrees.
NATIONAL OUTLOOK
Widespread blustery showers will continue on Friday night, and some of the showers will be heavy with a risk of hail and isolated thunderstorms. Lowest temperatures will stay around 4 and 7 degrees. Strong to near gale southwest to westerly winds, with gales or strong gales near the coasts, will slowly ease overnight.
Saturday will start windy with further scattered showers. The showers will be most frequent in the west and north, with an ongoing risk of hail and thunder, but they will gradually become more isolated towards evening. Highest temperatures will be around 6 to 9 degrees. Strong and gusty southwesterly winds will gradually abate. Showers will continue to affect Atlantic coastal counties on Saturday night, but it will be largely dry with clear spells elsewhere. Minima of 1 to 4 degrees Celsius. Light southwest winds will freshen and veer westerly overnight, helping to mitigate the risk of frost and icy patches.
Sunday will be a cold, bright and breezy day with sunny spells and scattered showers. The showers will be most frequent in the west and north, with a continued risk of hail and isolated thunderstorms. Afternoon highs will range from 5 to 8 degrees, and it will feel chilly in the moderate to fresh northwest winds. Sunday night will be cold with a sharp frost and icy patches developing. Minima will drop to between minus 3 and plus 3 degrees.
Dry on Monday with variable cloud amounts and bright or sunny spells. Top temperatures 6 to 8 degrees in light variable breezes.
Current indications for Tuesday suggest a milder but mostly cloudy day with patchy rain developing in the western and northwestern areas and highs of 7 to 11 degrees.