Ireland could be hit with its third storm within a week as more strong winds and heavy rain is on the way.
Met Eireann has issued several weather warnings, including one Status Orange, over the coming days.
Four weather warnings are in place for Sunday and Monday:
- Status Yellow rain warning for Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo until 6pm Sunday.
“Persistent rain followed by heavy showers will lead to localised flooding in places,” Met Eireann said.
- Status Yellow wind warning for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Donegal and Connacht until 9am Monday.
“Very strong southwesterly winds and some severe gusts are expected on Sunday morning, veering west to northwest on Sunday afternoon through early Monday morning. Strong winds, surge and phenomenal waves may lead to wave overtopping particularly at times of high water, and coastal flooding is possible along coasts,” according to Met Eireann.
- Status Yellow wind warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Tipperary and Waterford until 9am Monday.
Met Eireann explained: “Very strong southwesterly winds and some severe gusts are expected later on Sunday morning, veering west to northwest on Sunday afternoon through early Monday morning.”
- A more severe Status Orange wind warning has been issued for Donegal on Monday.
The alert is in place from 1am until 7am on Monday.
“Severe west to northwest winds with some damaging gusts are possible on Sunday night, please see yellow wind warning for Donegal where there is further details and associated risks,” Met Eireann said.
There are now fears that the fifth named storm of the year - and Ireland’s third within a week - could be named.
Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice battered Ireland on Wednesday and Friday.
If another storm is named, it would be Storm Franklin.
Weather expert Alan O’Reilly shared maps of the incoming winds on his Carlow Weather Twitter account and said: “The next storm on latest charts here and name or no name it doesn’t look good.
“Winds picking up tomorrow and staying strong through tomorrow night before peaking then early Monday morning. Anything that has come loose after recent storms could be finished off by this one.”
It comes as the public are being warned to stay away from north and west coasts.
Met Eireann says “strong winds, surge and phenomenal waves may lead to wave overtopping particularly at times of high water, and coastal flooding is possible along coasts.”
Some forecasts show over 50 foot waves for Sunday night.
Met Eireann’s latest forecast for Sunday reads: “Very windy and wet with strong to near gale force westerly winds and severe gusts, especially along western and northern coasts, with very high seas leading to some coastal flooding.
“Rain will be widespread and heavy at times early on, leading to localised flooding, before clearing southeastwards to frequent showers through the afternoon. Some showers will be heavy with isolated thunderstorms and hail, with sleet possible later.
“After a mild start, it will turn much colder from the northwest after the rain clears with highest afternoon temperatures of 4C to 8C.
“Very windy tonight with strong to near gale force westerly winds, reaching gale force in the west and north with some severe gusts and very high seas leading to coastal flooding. Showers will continue, most frequent over the northern half of the country while easing elsewhere towards morning.
“Some showers will be heavy with hail, and some will fall as sleet or snow too, especially on high ground. Lowest temperatures of 1C to 4C, turning less cold by morning.”
Looking ahead to next week, the national forecaster predicted it will “remain unsettled with often windy and wet conditions.”
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