Status orange and yellow warnings issued by Met Éireann

Met Éireann have issued a status orange weather warning for seven counties, and a status yellow warning for the rest of Ireland ahead of Storm Ellen. Cavan and Monaghan are currently in the status yellow zone.

Storm Ellen will track over the country tonight and into the early hours of Thursday morning, bringing “severe and potentially damaging winds”.

Associated heavy rain could also pose the risk of flooding.

“A combination of storm surge, spring tides and onshore winds, there is a potential risk of coastal flooding,” stated the national forecaster.

Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford fall into the status orange category warning.

A further status orange marine warning has been issued for gale force to storm force winds on Irish coastal waters from Carlingford Lough to Valentia to Bloody Foreland this evening and tonight.

Cathal Nolan of Ireland’s Weather Channel online said damaging gusts and driving rain could prove more economically damaging than Ophelia two years ago, “and possibly the worst summer storm since Hurricane Charley in 1986.”

Weather forecast

Meanwhile, the weather begins dry and cloudy this morning. However, rain and drizzle will extend from the south early in the afternoon. The rain and drizzle will gradually clear in the evening. Highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees in moderate to fresh and gusty easterly winds veering southeasterly and becoming very windy towards evening.

Tonight with be very windy. Cloudy with some clear spells and a further spell of rain extending from the south as winds veer southerly and increase fresh to strong and gusty with near gales or gales along coasts. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees.

Tomorrow (Thursday) will be dry and mostly cloudy to start but heavy and thundery showers will extend from the south along with some sunny spells. Fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds will be stronger along exposed coasts throughout the day. Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees.

Wet and windy weather expected for the rest of the week with more showery conditions for the weekend and further rain on Monday.