Another storm is to hit the country this week bringing severe winds to coastal counties in the west and northwest, according to Met Eireann.

A developing storm is expected to track to the west and northwest of Ireland Wednesday evening.

The storm has been named Eva, Met Eireann has said, as there is an status orange wind warning in operation for counties Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal.

Southerly winds will veer southwest with mean speeds of 60 to 65km/h it says.

These winds are expected to gust 100 to 110km/h, with stronger winds of mean speeds of 65 to 80km/h with gusts of 120km/h at times between 4.00pm and 9.00pm.

The wind warning is in place until midnight tomorrow Wednesday, December 23.

Met Eireann has also issued a status yellow wind warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Roscommon, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.

Southerly winds of mean speeds of 60 to 65km/h gusting 100 to 110km/h expected Wednesday evening and early Wednesday night, Met Eireann said.

The yellow wind warning is also in place until midnight on Wednesday.

There will be spells of more persistent and heavy, possibly thundery rain for a time later this evening (Tuesday) or early tonight which will clear to scattered showers around midnight, it said.

It will become cold after the rain clears with temperatures falling to between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius with fresh southwest winds some frost possible in sheltered areas, according to Met Eireann.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) will be mainly dry and bright in many areas with sunny spells and well scattered showers.

However, rain and very strong winds will move in to the west and northwest during the afternoon, it said, with gale force southerly winds developing.

There will be highest temperatures on Wednesday of 6 to 10 degrees Celsius.

Met Eireann has said that it will be wet and very windy countrywide tomorrow evening and early tomorrow night with gale force southerly winds and some very severe gusts in exposed western and northern areas especially.

Wednesday night will start off very windy with strong, gusty southerly winds, it said.

Rain will spread eastwards across the country and will be heavy at times however, it will clear overnight and winds will ease.

It will become cold again after the rain clears with temperatures falling to between 2 and 6 degrees, it said.