Yellow wind warning issued for eight counties for coming weekend

During these times, Met Éireann is warning of "sustained strong and gusty westerly winds", coupled with "large coastal waves".

The forecaster has said travelling conditions will be difficult near the western seaboard, and that there is also a rise of wave overtopping and some fallen trees.

A status yellow gale warning will also be in place from midnight tonight until 5pm on Saturday, with winds expected to reach gale force 8 on Irish coastal waters from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Fair Head.

National forecast 

In terms of the general forecast for the coming days, Met Éireann says rain will spread eastwards across Ireland later this morning, before clearing to the southeast by midday. Thereafter, there will be sunshine and some scattered showers, with showers becoming more isolated by this evening. Highest temperatures today will range from 8C to 11C.

Tonight will begin mainly dry, before rain and drizzle begin to develop in the northeast around midnight before spreading southeastwards later on. Temperatures tonight will fall back to between 3C and 8C in southwesterly winds increasing fresh to strong and gusty.

On Saturday morning, rain in the south and east will clear quickly and will be followed by good sunny spells and blustery showers for the remainder of the day. It will however be quite windy with fresh to strong, gusty westerly winds forecast to reach gale force along western and northern coasts. Saturday will be somewhat chilly, with temperatures of just 6C to 10C forecast.

Tomorrow night will be very windy with showers becoming widespread. There is also a risk that some of these showers could be heavy and wintry with a mix of rain, hail, sleet and possibly some snow, especially in parts of Ulster and on higher ground. Saturday night will be cold, with temperatures ranging from just 2C to 6C.

Sunday morning will also be very windy, and there will still be the risk of showers turning to hail, sleet, or snow. Through the afternoon, showers will become confined to the west and north, however, and winds will begin to ease by Sunday evening evening. Highest temperatures Sunday will range from 5C to 8C.

On Sunday night, showers will gradually become isolated, giving way to some clear spells for a time. Cloud will increase from the west overnight, with rain and drizzle developing in the west by early Monday morning. Lowest temperatures on Sunday night will range from 2C to 6C in northwest winds easing and veering westerly.