A status yellow weather warning has been issued by Met Eireann for stormy conditions in northern parts of the country.
The warning is set to come into affect late on Wednesday night, February 22, until Thursday morning, February 23, according to Met Eireann.
A rapidly deepening wave depression is forecast to track eastwards over northern parts of Ireland late on Wednesday night and early on Thursday.
Strong to gale force southwest winds are set to develop overnight and become gale force northwesterly by Thursday morning.
Severe gusts are expected, especially in northern and eastern areas.
Meanwhile, today is forecast to be a mild, windy day with further rain, drizzle and fog in places.
Heavy rain is expected in parts of the west and north in the afternoon or evening, as temperatures reach highs of 10 to 14 degrees in strengthening southwesterly winds.
Heavy rain forecast in the west and north is set to ease overnight, with cloudy and patchy light rain or drizzle likely elsewhere.
It is set to be coldest in the north, as temperatures range from 4 to 8 degrees.
It is forecast to be another mostly cloudy day across the country with outbreaks of rain set to affect Atlantic coasts at first, spreading elsewhere in the afternoon and evening with some heavy falls.
Southern parts of Munster and Leinster are set to enjoy drier conditions. Afternoon temperatures are set to range from 6 to 8 degrees across the northern half of the country, rising to between 9 and 12 degrees in the south.
Wet and windy conditions are expected for most areas on Wednesday night with strong and gusty southwest winds veering northwesterly overnight with rain turning to heavy showers.