Met Éireann has warned of a very unsettled October Bank Holiday weekend ahead of the arrival of Storm Boelo.

It comes as heavy rain and strong winds associated with Storm Austen are currently spreading eastwards across the country.

Road users are being advised of possible localised flooding, fallen trees and debris on some routes this morning (Friday, October 23).

ESB Networks has said that as of 7:00a.m, around 3,000 homes, farms and businesses are currently without power as a result of Storm Austen.

ESB Networks crews have been deployed in all impacted areas to carry out the necessary restoration work, where safe to do so.

Further power outages are possible are weather warnings remain in place.

Storm Austen

Cork County Council said there have been reports overnight of more than 40 fallen trees and fallen branches across Cork.

Up to 60mm of rainfall has been recorded in parts of the county overnight, but no river flooding has been reported at this time.

However, the council said localised ponding and surface water remain a concern and may create hazardous driving conditions during the morning commute.

A Status orange rainfall warning for Dublin, Wexford, Wicklow is due to remain in place until 8:00a.m today.

A similar warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford expired at 5:00am.

While a Status Yellow weather warning for rain and wind across Leinster and Munster will be valid until 10:00a.m this morning.

Weather

Rain in the east and north will clear eastwards this morning and will be followed by sunshine and scattered showers for the rest of the day.

Fresh, occasionally strong and gusty northwesterly winds will gradually ease and veer westerly later. Highest afternoon temperatures of 8° to 12°C.

Tonight will be mainly dry with some isolated showers on Atlantic coast. Overnight lows of 2° to 8° in light to moderate southwesterly winds.

Cloud will increase in the west bringing rain which will become widespread by morning, with some heavy falls are possible.

Saturday morning will be wet and windy with widespread rain and fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds, reaching near gale force or gale force near coasts.

The rain will be heavy at times, particularly in the west and south-west, bringing a risk of flooding.

During the afternoon, the rain will clear to showers, with some isolated thunderstorms are possible in the north-west.

Southwest to westerly winds will increase strong to near gale force and gusty.

The winds will reach gale force or strong gale force near west and north-west coasts as Storm Boele tracks to the north of the country. Highest temperatures of 12° to 15°.

Saturday night will see strong and gusty westerly winds, stronger in the north and west. Showers or rain will be most frequent in the north and west. Overnight lows of 4° to 8°, feeling coolest in the north.

Sunny spells and scattered showers on Sunday morning, longer spells of rain are possible in the north-west.

The showers will become more isolated later in the day and winds will ease. Highest temperatures of 9° to 12°.

After a mainly dry start, cloud will build from the south-west on Sunday night bringing rain towards morning. Southeasterly winds will be gusty at times in the south-west. Lowest temperatures of 3° to 8°.

Rain will move northeastwards on Munday morning, accompanied by moderate to fresh southeasterly winds. It will feel mild and humid in top temperatures of 14° to 17°.

Met Éireann

Met Éireann said rainfall amounts over the coming week are expected to be well above average nationwide with up to 2 or 3 times the average for this time of year.

Mean air temperatures are forecast to continue close to or below average ranging from 9° to 13°.

Mean soil temperatures are expected to decrease slightly, but are likely to continue above average.

Drying conditions will generally be poor with the best chances expected on Sunday and Wednesday.

Opportunities for spraying will be limited due to the unsettled weather over the coming week.

Met Éireann said moderately drained soils will become waterlogged over the weekend, but there will be a slight improvement in moderately drained soils towards the end of the coming week.