Storm Darragh to hit as Met Éireann issues orange and yellow ...

The status yellow warning for Kerry will come into place at midday until 6pm on Thursday while the warning for the six other counties has been issued from 1pm until 9pm.

The forecaster says possible impacts include falling branches and localised debris, as well as difficult travelling conditions.

Meanwhile, Storm Darragh will hit on Friday with a status orange wind warning being issued for Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. The warning is in place from 10pm on Friday until 9am on Saturday. 

A second status orange wind warning has been issued for Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow. That warning is in place from midnight on Saturday until 9am on Saturday. Wave overtopping, fallen trees, damage to power lines and "very difficult travelling conditions" are expected.

The storm will bring "very strong and gusty northwest winds" and impacts will include fallen trees, damage to power lines, very difficult travelling conditions and damage to temporary structures

A status yellow wind warning for the whole country will come into effect at 3pm on Friday for a period of 24 hours with difficult travelling conditions and fallen trees expected.

A status yellow rain warning has also been issued for Clare, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and all of Connacht. There will be heavy rain on Friday followed by "heavy showers" on Saturday morning. 

The warning will be in effect from 10am on Friday until 10am on Saturday. Potential impacts include localised flooding, poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions.

National outlook 

Overall, Met Éireann says rain and squally winds will spread eastwards across the country, before gradually clearing during the afternoon, giving way to scattered showers. Highest temperatures on Thursday will range from 8C to 13C.

By this evening, winds will ease and the showers will become isolated with most parts becoming dry.

While there will be some clear spells there is also a chance of some frost and icy patches, and some mist and fog in certain areas. Temperatures on Thursday night will drop back to around 0C to 5C.

At this stage, Friday looks set to be a cloudy and rainy day. There is a possibility of some localised flooding due to heavy rain. Highest temperatures on Friday will range from 6C to 13C. 

By late afternoon, it will also become very windy, as moderate southeast winds gradually increase to "strong and gusty". During the evening, there is also the possibility of stormy conditions developing in the west and southwest.

According to Met Éireann, Friday night will be "extremely windy or stormy for a time" with heavy and possibly wintry rain in some northern areas. Lowest temperatures tomorrow night will range from 0C to 3C with some frost and again ice likely.

Meanwhile, the UK Met Office has also issued a status yellow wind warning for all of Northern Ireland, with the alert in place from 3pm until 3am on Friday.