Met Eireann issues weather warnings with storm winds to rip across Ireland

Met Éireann has issued a series of weather warnings for Ireland on Saturday with severe winds to rip across the country from the northwest. 

The warnings cover much of the country with the south the only area to escape the clutches of the stormy conditions.

The Status Yellow wind warnings come into force at different time for different areas but warn of "strong and gusty west to northwest winds with the potential for wave overtoppping."

The warning for Clare, Tipperary and all of Connacht is valid from 8am on Saturday until 6pm on Saturday.

It is valid in Leinster, Cavan and Monaghan from 10am until 8pm on Saturday. Strong and gusty west to northwest winds will "cause disruption and travelling difficulties" in these counties, according to Met Éireann.

An individual wind warning for Donegal is valid from 12 noon until 8pm on Saturday.

Met Éireann has also issued a Status Yellow gale warning from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Belfast Lough from 5am Saturday to 2am on Sunday.

"Westerly winds will increase to gale force 8 or higher," Met Éireann said.

In their general outlook for Saturday, Met Éireann said: "Becoming very windy on Saturday. On Saturday morning, rain will continue to push northeastwards over Ireland, becoming confined to north Ulster by the afternoon. Sunny spells and blustery showers will follow across the rest of the country, some of the showers will be heavy and with hail.

"Showers may merge to give longer spells of rain, especially across the northern half of the country. Maximum temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees in strong and gusty southwest winds, which will veer westerly during the day, reaching gale force at the coast.

"Winds will gradually ease on Saturday night as showers become isolated and mostly restricted to north Ulster. However, later in the night, a further spell of rain will push in across Munster and Connacht, extending across the rest of the country by dawn on Sunday. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees with fresh and gusty westerly winds, backing southerly and moderating."