Wind warning issued as remnants of Hurricane Ernesto to hit Ireland
Are Parts Hurricane 'remnants' Of The Of Co Ireland Ernesto Waterford High In Wire Wednesday Evening Waves Batter Picture: Tramore, From Niall Carson/pa To Set
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow wind warning as the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto hit Ireland.
Ernesto ripped through the North Atlantic last week and the forecaster says "unseasonably strong and gusty south to southwest winds" will impact the country from Wednesday evening.
The warning, which affects Galway and Mayo, comes into place at 6.30pm. It will remain in place until 2.30am on Thursday morning.
Potential impacts of the warning include coastal flooding, wave over-topping, localised flooding, damage to temporary structures and difficult travelling conditions.
The impacts are predicted to be most acute in coastal areas and on higher ground.
A status yellow marine gale warning will also come into effect from 7pm on Wednesday.
The warning encompasses the entire coast, from Belfast Lough to Roches Point to Malin Head and on the Irish Sea.
Met Éireann says southerly winds will reach gale force 8 at times, possibly touching gale force 9 in the west and northwest. The warning is due to lift at 7am on Thursday.
While Wednesday afternoon is expected to be dry with temperature highs of 18C, it will be a wet and windy as rain spreads eastwards over the country.
This rain will also become heavy at times and accompanied by strong, gusty southerly winds, with gales along parts of the west.
Rain will clear eastwards from most parts overnight and winds will veer westerly and decrease moderate to fresh. Temperatures tonight will fall back to between 11C and 14C.
On Thursday, any remaining rain in the east will clear early by late morning, giving way to sunny spells and a few scattered showers.
By the late afternoon though, rain will develop in the southwest and will spread northeastwards, becoming heavy in places. Temperatures tomorrow will range from 14C to 18C.
Thursday night will also be wet, with heavy rain and some thundery downpours, and the possibility of coastal and surface water flooding. There will also be strong to gale-force winds, especially in the south and southwest.
"Winds will be lighter and cyclonic variable for a time further north as an area of low pressure tracks in over the country," according to Met Éireann.
Friday too will be a blustery day with sunshine and showers, some of them likely to heavy.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.