Met Eireann has issued several weather warnings for “unseasonable” windstorms set to ravage Ireland.
The entire country is under one of two alerts, with the national forecaster highlighting the potential for “damaging” winds to unleash havoc.
It says these winds have the potential to cause damage to tents and other temporary structures, as well as pose a risk from falling branches and overtopping waves.
The first Status Yellow wind warning is in place until 10am Saturday and affects Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
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It reads: “Unseasonably strong southeasterly winds overnight and for a time on Saturday morning, strongest in southern and western coastal areas and on high ground.
“Possible impacts: Damage to tents and other temporary structures, falling branches, wave overtopping along parts of the south coast.”
A second Status Yellow wind warning is in place until noon Saturday for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.
It reads: “Unseasonably strong southeasterly winds overnight and for a time on Saturday morning, strongest in southern and western coastal areas and on high ground.
“Possible impacts: Damage to tents and other temporary structures, falling branches, wave overtopping along parts of the south coast.”
All residents in the affected regions are being urged to exercise caution and take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential risks associated with the impending strong winds.
Today's warnings comes alongside a forecast of further thunderstorms, hail and heavy rain.
The upcoming forecast continues largely unsettled with the miserable conditions expected to last well into next week.
Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect, Met Eireann said: “Unseasonably windy and mostly cloudy at first today, Saturday, with patchy rain and drizzle. Mostly dry with sunny spells by this afternoon, apart from the odd showers, with winds easing. Highest temperatures of 18C to 22C. Fresh to strong southeasterly winds reaching gale force at times along south and west coasts will back southerly through this morning and gradually ease.
“Dry with clear spells in many parts at first Saturday evening, but showers, isolated at first, will begin to feed up from the south early tonight. The showers will turn heavy as the night goes on potentially merging to longer spells of rain at times with the chance of the odd rumble of thunder. It will stay mainly dry in Ulster, though. Cooler than previous nights with lows of 9C to 12C.
“Tomorrow Sunday will bring a mix of sunny spells and showers. Some of the showers will be heavy and slow-moving, with thundery downpours and hail. Winds will be mostly light, although gusty at times around showers. Highs of 17C to 21C.
“Mostly cloudy Monday with outbreaks of rain, heavy or possibly thundery at times. Some clearer brighter intervals will extend from the south through the late afternoon and evening. Light to moderate southeast or variable winds, will freshen for a time along southeastern coasts in the afternoon. Highs of 17C to 20C.
“Cloudy periods Tuesday, but sunny spells too with scattered showers, some heavy with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. Becoming somewhat breezier with light to moderate northwest breezes developing. Highs of 16C to 20C.
“Sunny spells and scattered showers Wednesday. The showers will be mainly in the west at first but they will spread elsewhere by the afternoon. Light to moderate westerly breezes. Highs of 15C to 19C.
Current indications suggest unsettled conditions will persist Friday and next weekend with showers or longer spells of rain at times.”
