Met Éireann extends Storm Agnes orange warnings to more counties

Met Éireann has extended Status Orange wind warnings to more counties as Storm Agnes makes landfall in Ireland on Wednesday.

Originally, Met Éireann released an orange warning for Cork and Kerry but that wind warning now covers Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford.

It warns of "very strong and gusty southerly winds, with some severe and damaging gusts" and the potential for "coastal flooding, difficult travel conditions, power outages and fallen trees."

The warning is valid from 9am until 5pm on Wednesday.

A Status Orange rain warning covers Cork, Kerry and Waterford and warns of "spells of heavy and occasionally intense rain, combined with very strong and gusty winds."

Impacts include difficult travel conditions, localised flooding and poor visibility. That warning too is valid until 3pm on Wednesday.

These is a Status Yellow rain warning for Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry and Waterford from 7am to midnight on Wednesday.

Finally, a Status Yellow wind warning is in place for Leinster, Munster and Galway during the same time period.

"Becoming very windy on Wednesday with very strong and gusty southerly winds, veering westerly later on," Met Éireann added.

In their latest forecast, the national forecaster continued: "Storm Agnes will track northeastwards over Ireland today with disruption likely in places. It will be wet and very windy with strong to gale force southeast winds, veering westerly later in the day.

"Becoming extremely windy or stormy for a time in the east and south with the potential for severe and damaging gusts. Strong onshore winds and high seas will bring the risk of coastal flooding on eastern and southern coasts. Heavy rain extending nationwide through the morning with the likelihood of some localised flooding. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees.

"Staying windy for a time tonight with strong and gusty westerly winds gradually easing as Storm Agnes clears towards Scotland. Outbreaks of heavy rain in the northeast will give way to a mix of clear spells and scattered showers. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees."