Two warnings in two days as Storm Amy to hit

Strong to near gale force winds on the way

Cavan is to come under two weather warnings in two days as Storm Amy is set to bring rain and wind to the county.

A status yellow rain warning took effect for Cavan, Longford, Donegal, Munster and Connacht from 6am this moring (Thursday) and will remain in place until 8pm this evening.

Met Éireann is warning of "widespread rain, heavy at times".

Potential impacts include localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions.

Meanwhile, a status yellow wind warning will kick in for all of Ireland at noon tomorrow (Friday).

The national weather forecaster is warning that Storm Amy is set to bring "strong to near gale force and gusty southwesterly winds".

People are being warned to be on the alert for debris, loose objects and, perhaps, some fallen trees.

That warning is valid until midnight.

Meanwhile, Met Éireann has said it will be wet and rather blustery today with widespread heavy rain developing, possibly leading to localised flooding especially across western and southern areas.

Some embedded thunderstorms will occur too. Dry for a time early on across eastern counties. Southerly winds will increase fresh and gusty, stronger near coasts. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees.

Lingering blustery heavy rain will clear away into the Irish Sea early tonight. While long clear spells will develop, some passing heavy showers will affect Ulster, with rain arriving into the southwest towards morning. Fresh and gusty southwest winds will moderate overnight but will begin to strengthen again towards morning. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees.

Storm Amy will affect Ireland on Friday. It will be a very windy or stormy day with heavy rain quickly extending countrywide from the southwest. Severe and potentially damaging gusts will occur widely. Strong to gale force and gusty south to southwest winds, reaching storm force for western and northwest coastal areas, will gradually veer southwest.

Later in the day, the rain will clear to showers, mainly affecting Atlantic counties. Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees.

Very windy Friday night with windy conditions on Saturday and breezy conditions in turn on Sunday. Turning cooler with a band of heavy showery rain sinking down from the north early on Saturday followed by drier weather, at least for daylight hours, on Sunday. Rather unsettled into next week.