Weather warnings extended to 21 counties as wind and rain forecast

Ellen O'Donoghue

Fresh weather warnings have been issued for 21 counties across the island of Ireland on Sunday.

Munster, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo will all be under a status yellow wind and rain warning from 2am on Sunday until 3pm.

Very strong and gusty southerly winds are expected alongside spells of heavy rain.

Possible impacts include difficult travel conditions, localised flooding, fallen trees and loose debris, and poor visibility.

The counties of Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo will then be under a status yellow wind warning from 3pm on Sunday until midnight.

Met Éireann has warned of very strong and gusty southwesterly winds with difficult travel conditions, fallen trees and loose debris possible.

In Northern Ireland, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry will also be under a status yellow wind warning from 3am on Sunday until 3pm.

Saturday is expected to be a bright and largely dry day with good sunshine and some passing showers, mainly across the southwest, west, and north. Highest temperatures are expected to be between 10 and 13 degrees.

Saturday night, however, will begin dry and clear, but rain is forecast to spread from the west overnight, reaching eastern areas by morning.

Rain will be heavy in the west and southwest, with spot flooding possible. It is also expected to become very windy with southerly winds increasing strong to near gale force, reaching gale force on coasts, with lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees.