Storm Gertrude is on the way and it’s going to bring severe winds to Ireland tonight and tomorrow morning (January 28).

In response, Met Eireann has issued two wind warnings for the country.

An orange weather warning is in place for Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Dublin, Longford, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford.

Southwest winds later veering westerly will increase 65 to 80 km/h overnight and will gust 110 to 130km/h at times.

The strongest winds mainly in northern and western coastal areas and the warning is in place until 9.00 tomorrow morning.

There is a yellow wind warning in place for counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon, Limerick and Tipperary.

Here, southwest winds later veering westerly will increase 50 to 65km/h overnight and will gust 100 to 110km/h at times.

This warning is also in place until 9.00 tomorrow morning.

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Temperatures are to drop to freezing on Friday night as the winds from Storm Gertrude ease.

Showers in the west and northwest are promised to turn wintry over the hills and mountains however, there will be a good deal of dry weather across the rest of the country.

Current indications for the weekend suggest that Saturday will remain cold with temperatures staying low all day while on Sunday rain will develop with temperatures rising.

Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users today to take extreme care when using the roads as the weather warnings have been issued.

The RSA also advises road users to:

  • Beware of objects being blown out onto the road and to expect the unexpected. In particular watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
  • Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
  • Drivers should allow extra space around vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
  • Use dipped headlights at all times of poor visibility not parking/side lights and fog lights.
  • Pedestrians should take extra care when crossing the road and cyclists when cycling in traffic as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
  • Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are advised to be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt.
  • Pedestrians should walk on a footpath, not in the street. Walk on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
MET EIREANN RSA STORM GERTRUDE WEATHER WIND