Motorists warned over ‘strong to gale force’ winds and heavy rain

Yellow alert issued with wind gusts of up to 100km/h forecast in coastal areas on Monday

Commuters and road users have been warned to exercise caution on Monday with powerful winds and heavy rain forecast.

A status yellow wind warning - the lowest of the three weather warning levels - is in place until 8pm on Monday for counties Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Donegal and Sligo.

Southeasterly winds throughout Monday will be “strong to gale force”. Average wind speeds of 55 to 65km/h are forecast, with warnings over gusts of up to 100km/h in coastal areas.

However, the winds will ease gradually from the south.

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AA Roadwatch advised motorists to be aware of fallen debris due to the wind, particularly on secondary routes.

There was frost this morning for many parts of the country with lows of -2 degrees and further frost forecast.

Highest temperatures in the afternoon were predicted to be 8-12 degrees, with the higher temperatures forecast for Munster.

Monday’s cold start follows a cold snap over the weekend when temperatures reached -5 in some areas on Saturday night and Sunday morning, when a yellow low temperature warning was in place.

At 7am on Sunday Met Éireann recorded -5 degrees at its Mullingar, Co Westmeath weather station, -4 at Moorepark in Cork, -3 at Oak Park in Carlow and -2 at Casement Aerodrome in Dublin.

Monday night

Monday night will be cold, according to Met Éireann, with showers widespread for a time.

There is a risk of hail, sleet and thunder, but the unsettled weather will become confined to southern and western coastal areas.

The forecaster said temperatures will drop to -2 to 2 degrees and warned of sharp frost and icy patches.

Tuesday is due to be bright and fresh, with some showers affecting mainly southern and western coastal counties and hail in places.

Top temperatures will be 6-8 degrees, according to Met Éireann.