Public advised to avoid coastal areas as Storm Eunice tracks towards Ireland

The public have been advised to avoid coastal areas as Storm Eunice tracks towards Ireland this evening.

Met Éireann has issued a status orange wind warning for Co Wicklow, which is valid from 3am on Friday until 11am.

A separate status yellow warning for wind, rain and snow for Ireland will come into effect from 1am, before expiring at 3pm.

“The storm will track across Ireland tonight and Friday morning bringing severe and damaging winds for a time,” said the forecaster.

“Southwest or cyclonic winds becoming northwest will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with gusts up to 130 km/h. Some coastal flooding, especially at high tide.”

The Irish Coast Guard, Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána and Local Authorities have advised members of the public to stay away from all coastal areas for the duration of the Met Éireann warnings.

In a statement tonight, Wicklow County Council has said only necessary journeys should be undertaken and motorists should exercise extreme caution when driving.

It added that The Wicklow County Council Severe Weather Alert Team met this afternoon and continues to monitor events.

The ESB has warned that electricity wires are live and members of the public should not approach them, instead calling their emergency number on 1800 372 999/021 238 2410.

The latest weather forecast from Met Éireann

TONIGHT: Early tonight rain and sleet will move in from the southwest and southeasterly winds will strengthen as Storm Eunice approaches. After midnight rain and sleet will become widespread with snow possible on high ground. It will become stormy from a southwest direction with severe and potentially damaging gusts overnight in the south of the province the winds becoming northwesterly in the west later. Risk of coastal flooding at high tide early on Friday morning. Lowest temperatures of zero to 4 degrees.

TOMORROW: Friday morning will be stormy over Leinster with severe and potentially damaging northwesterly winds. There will be further falls of rain, sleet and snow. Disruption to travel can be expected. Through the afternoon winds will gradually ease and it will be cold with showers of rain, hail and sleet. Afternoon temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees and feeling colder than that with the added wind chill.