People have been warned of a 'significant threat to life' when Storm Eunice hits Ireland tonight bringing with it gale-force winds, heavy snow and rain.
A red wind warning is in place in two counties, Cork and Kerry, with strong winds as high as 130km/h that could bring down trees as well as cause damage to power lines and buildings.
Met Eireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy has warned of the extreme danger these potential hazards pose to people's lives and urged people to take the advice seriously. Follow live updates in our weather blog.
Along with the extremely strong and damaging winds, Storm Eunice will also bring spells of heavy rain and snow leading to challenging and disruptive travel conditions.
A status orange wind warning covers Clare, Galway, Waterford, Wexford, Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Laois, Offaly and Dublin from 3am to 11am on Friday.
Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon should expect "blizzard-like conditions" as a status orange snow warning has been issued for those western and northern counties from 3am until 3pm on Friday.
And a status yellow wind, rain and snow warning covers the whole of Ireland until 3pm Friday.
Mr Murphy said: “Early tonight strong winds, rain and sleet will move in from the southwest as Storm Eunice approaches.
"We’re going to see winds really picking up in the early hours of Friday morning with storm force winds, heavy rain and snow leading to very challenging conditions. We can expect to see fallen trees, damage to power lines and buildings, with hazardous driving conditions, delays and cancellations to transport.
“We have issued a Red wind warning for Cork and Kerry as wind speeds are expected to reach 80km/h with gusts in excess of 130km/h.
"Red warnings mean weather conditions will be extremely dangerous with a significant threat to life – we’re urging people in these areas not to make unnecessary journeys and follow advice from local authorities and emergency services.”
He added: “As well as strong winds, Storm Eunice will bring heavy rain and snow and this will also lead to some challenging conditions. An Orange snow warning is in place for Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon until Friday afternoon, with heavy sleet and snow leading to blizzard conditions and treacherous driving conditions.”
Wind and snow warnings are also in place for Northern Ireland through tomorrow, with red and orange marine warnings in place across all Irish coastal waters with violent storm conditions at sea.
