Storm Éowyn to bring heavy rain, damaging gusts possible

Strong winds and heavy rain are forecast for later this week as Storm Éowyn passes over the country.

The storm is due to hit on Thursday and continue into Friday, however the most at-risk areas are still unknown.

While the storm's path remains uncertain, Met Éireann said it believes all parts of the country will feel the effects of the weather front and will see stormy conditions take hold.

The forecaster said people should keep an eye out for updated weather alerts "between now and Thursday".

It said the storm is being caused by a "developing system that's caught in the jet stream" and that "sleet and snow on higher ground" are a possibility.

People can also expect windy conditions to sweep the country with coastal areas at risk of waves crashing over sea walls due to high seas.

Met Éireann warned of "very strong to gale force winds across the country with the potential for damaging wind gusts and disruption in places".

The post added: "Met Éireann is continuously monitoring the evolving situation and weather warnings will be issued as confidence in the forecast track/intensity of the Low-Pressure system improves."

Met Éireann warned in a statement that the main impacts may include "dangerous travelling conditions, displaced objects, fallen trees, power outages, poor visibility in any sleet or snow, surface water flooding and localised river flooding".

The UK Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning from midnight on Friday to midday on Saturday across the whole of Northern Ireland and the western half of Scotland, including Glasgow, as Storm Éowyn hits.

Met Office spokeswoman Andrea Bishop said: "Storm Éowyn will bring a period of very unsettled, potentially disruptive, weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday."

Storm Éowyn is expected to bring a spell of strong south-easterly to south-westerly winds, with gusts reaching 96-112km/h inland and 12-128km/h along coasts.

The wind strength in the UK is expected to ease gradually through Saturday from the south.

Status Yellow Fog warning

Meanwhile, Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow Fog warning for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Roscommon, Tipperary and Waterford.

The warning urges people to be aware of impaired visibility due to foggy conditions.

It will be in effect from 10pm tonight until 10am tomorrow.

Additional reporting PA