MET Éireann has named its fifth storm of the season ahead of the arrival of Storm Erik on Friday.
The forecaster has issued Status Orange wind warnings for Galway, Mayo and Donegal which will be in effect from 5am tomorrow morning.
The counties will experience average southwest to west wind-speeds of between 65km/h and 80km/h - along with "some severe or damaging gusts of 110km/h to 130km/h".
These conditions will include potentially hazardous gusts along "exposed coastal areas" through tomorrow morning and early afternoon, as well as the added threat of coastal flooding.
The rest of the country will be under a Status Yellow warning from 5am on Friday until 6am on Saturday.
The Meteorologist's Commentary section of our website has been updated with information regarding Storm Erik.https://t.co/EUO3EbKt12#StormErik pic.twitter.com/knik3ZwSwX
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) 7 February 2019
Met Éireann said: "Increasingly windy overnight, with south to southwest winds increasing strong to gale force and gusty by morning.
"Potentially damaging gusts may occur near Atlantic coasts towards dawn, with the threat of coastal flooding due to very high seas."
Overall, Friday will be a very windy day with strong to gale-force southwesterly winds gradually veering westerly.
Saturday will start windy with further scattered showers.
The forecaster added: "The showers will be most frequent in the west and north, with an ongoing risk of hail and thunder, but they will gradually become more isolated towards evening. Highest temperatures will be around 6C to 9C.
"Strong and gusty southwesterly winds will gradually abate. Showers will continue to affect Atlantic coastal counties on Saturday night, but it will be largely dry with clear spells elsewhere.
"Light southwest winds will freshen and veer westerly overnight, helping to mitigate the risk of frost and icy patches."
