A status-orange rain warning has come into effect for the southwest as the island braces for Storm Gerrit.
A further status-orange warning for wind on the west coast will be in force from 6pm on Wednesday.
A rain warning covering Kerry and west Cork began at 8pm on Tuesday and will be in place throughout Wednesday, lifting at midnight.
Met Éireann said very heavy rain is expected overnight on Tuesday, with intense heavy showers on Wednesday.
Status Yellow Wind warning for Clare, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo
Southwest winds veering westerly will be strong & gusty at times🌬️
A combination of spring tides, large waves & strong winds may result in some coastal flooding🌊⤵️https://t.co/7aDQTqTyEp pic.twitter.com/WIH9pjW3gSAdvertisement— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 26, 2023
“Localised flooding is possible,” said the forecaster.
The status-orange wind warning covers Co Galway. It will be in effect from 6pm on Wednesday to 6am on Thursday.
Met Éireann said the county would see very strong westerly winds. With the storm coupled with spring tides, the forecaster said coastal flooding was likely.
A status yellow warning for wind and rain is operation for the rest of the country until late on Wednesday night.
Heavy rainfall is forecast overnight on Tuesday with heavy showers on Wednesday.
Status Orange - Wind warning for Galway
Met Éireann Weather Warning
Very strong westerly winds, coupled with spring tides🌬️
Coastal flooding is likely🌊
Valid: 18:00 Wednesday 27/12/2023 to 06:00 Thursday 28/12/2023
Issued: 15:45 Tuesday 26/12/2023 pic.twitter.com/fhc6IzM8Ln— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 26, 2023
Met Éireann again warned of the potential for localised flooding for those areas covered by the yellow warning.
Strong southerly winds are forecast overnight on Tuesday, veering to south-westerly on Wednesday.
Met Éireann said the strong winds combined with spring tides may lead to coastal flooding in places.
On Thursday, a yellow wind warning is in effect from midnight to 4pm, covering Clare, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) in Ireland has urged road users to exercise caution when travelling while the warnings are in place.
In the North, the Met Office has issued a yellow wind and rain warning covering the entire region from 2am to 10am on Wednesday.
The UK forecaster said some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport was likely while the flooding of some homes and businesses was possible.
It also raised the possibility of short-term loss of power and other services in some areas.
