Nationwide weather warnings have been issued by Met Éireann as wind and rain associated with Storm Bella hits Ireland.

The national forecaster said westerly winds will reach speeds of 50km/h to 65km/h with gusts of 90km/h to 110km/h. Gusts will be higher at times near the west coast.

With the combination of strong winds, high waves and forecasted storm surge, Met Éireann is warning of a risk of coastal flooding along the west coast.

Heavy rain will also move southwards across the country and may cause localised flooding in some areas with a Status Yellow rainfall warning for Ireland also in effect.

The wind warning and rainfall warning will remain in place until 4am on Sunday morning.

Here is the latest wind, temperature and rainfall forecast from our HARMONIE weather model. It covers the period from now until early on Monday morning. More weather forecast information for the coming days and outlook period can be found here: https://t.co/9gKN6SVok4 pic.twitter.com/pq274K4PF0

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 26, 2020

In the UK, residents living in eastern regions of the country such as Bedfordshire have been "strongly urged" to leave their homes due to a risk of flooding.

A yellow warning for rain has also been issued for parts of Scotland, Wales and much of north and south west England.

Following the warnings, Sunday's weather is expected to be a mixed bag.

Met Éireann says that tomorrow will be made up of “a very cold and blustery day with sunny spells and showers, some of sleet, snow or hail”.

Rain will continue into the evening but it “will be followed by largely dry and clear conditions overnight, although scattered showers will persist in the northwest and west”.

Monday is expected to be “cold with widespread showers”.

As evening falls it will stay “cold and blustery with a mix of clear spells and scattered showers, turning wintry on higher ground”.