Gusts of up to 120kph are set to hit the country tonight, as Storm Georgina reaches Ireland, according to Met Eireann.

A Status Orange wind warning has been issued for Ireland; a depression – now named Storm Georgina – will track to the north-west of the country tonight.

South-west winds will reach mean speeds of between 65kph and 80kph, gusting up to 120kph for a time tonight. Issued earlier today, the warning will be valid from just after midnight tonight for a total of five hours.

There will be two Status Yellow weather warnings in place for tonight, according to Met Eireann – one wind warning for the entire country, and one rainfall warning for the west coast.

The rainfall warning has been issued for counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo and Clare.

Total rainfall accumulations of between 25mm and 35mm are expected in places.

Issued earlier this morning (Tuesday, January 23) at 11:00am, the warning will be valid from 10:00pm tonight until 10:00am tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, the entire country will have to batten down the hatches tonight, as a Status Yellow wind warning will be in place for 12 hours. In an update issued this morning, also at 11:00am, the warning will be valid from 10:00pm tonight until 10:00am tomorrow.

South-west winds are expected to reach mean speeds of between 55kph and 65kph, gusting to 110kph at times this evening and tonight.

Winds will be strongest in western and northwestern counties and along the south-east coast; winds may briefly exceed these values in places, Met Eireann warns.

Meanwhile, there will be sunny spells and a few scattered heavy or thundery showers for the rest of today. It will be relatively mild, with highest temperatures of 10° to 12° in a blustery southwesterly wind.

Along with the strong winds, rain will become widespread and heavy for a time tonight with the risk of spot flooding; but, it will turn more showery later. Lowest temperatures of 4° to 7° are expected.