Updated 15:30
Wexford, Donegal, Cork and Waterford are likely to bear the brunt of Storm Deirdre as high winds and rain batter the country.
Met Éireann’s Status Orange wind warning now only applied to the four counties after it was updated this afternoon.
The counties are expected to experience gusts of up to 120kph this afternoon – and the orange warning is expected to remain in place until 10pm.
Meanwhile a Status Yellow wind warning remains in place Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan – with gust of up to 110kph expected.
A national Status Yellow rain warning will remain in place nationwide until midnight.
Met Éireann forecaster Harm Luijkx said the peak of the winds are expected at around 8pm this evening – and should die down by 10pm.
ESB Networks said crews are on standby around the country in case the high winds damage powerlines.
Power has been returned to over 4,000 homes and businesses in West Cork following a fault at Glengarriff this morning.
Newly Updated National Warnings pic.twitter.com/VPb0RcEEi9
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 15, 2018
The challenging conditions arrived as retailers prepared for one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Road Safety Authority spokesperson Brian Farrell said drivers need to be patient, expect delays and be on their guard.
“Watch out for vulnerable road users because it is going to be difficult driving conditions out there,” he said.
“The rain and spray from vehicles is going to reduce visibility so use the dipped headlights.”
Rain will become widespread this morning with some heavy, possibly thundery falls at times in parts of the south and west especially and local spot flooding. Windy in places this morning, but stormy conditions with some disruptive and damaging gusts will develop ....
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 15, 2018
..... for a few hours later this afternoon in parts of Munster and Connacht and these severe winds will transfer to northern and eastern counties during the evening and early tonight. Afternoon temperatures of 7 to 12 degrees Celsius pic.twitter.com/lQHCAhTqeU
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 15, 2018
He said drivers will have to be extra careful with Christmas shoppers braving the wet conditions.
“Our towns and cities are going to be busy and that is going to be more challenging with the wet weather that has been predicted,” he said.
“That is going to lead to a lot of surface water and some flooded roads in places.
“Really with the inclement weather and greater hours of darkness at this time of year, we need to be on the lookout for vulnerable road users.”
Dublin Fire Brigade called on drivers to leave extra space for cyclists and to plan ahead if you are Christmas shopping.
An orange warning ⚠is in place for #StormDeirdre from @MetEireann Saturday 3pm till 11pm for strong winds in addition to forecast rainfall ☔
âœ”ï¸ Plan ahead if you're #Christmas shopping
🚘 Drive to the conditions
🚲 Leave space for cyclists in strong winds 🃠pic.twitter.com/j9qITcH0we— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) December 15, 2018
ESB Networks said people should ensure they are “storm ready” with the potential for power cuts later on today.
