Temperatures are set to plummet later today as high winds make way for a cold snap across the country.
Met Éireann has issued an orange alert in Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo and Clare, with winds expected to gust up to 130km/h. It also warns of very high waves today with a risk of coastal flooding.
A yellow warning remains in place across Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford, with gusts likely to range from 90-110km/h.
The Cliffs of Moher visitor centre was closed on Wednesday as a health and safety precaution, due to wind conditions.
Its website warned visitors that “winds are extremely dangerous with some airborne rock debris falling near the viewing platforms”.
Bright and cold
Met Éireann meteorologist John Eagleton said Thursday would be bright and cold with some scattered showers. “Some areas in the north and west might wake up with snow on the ground but it won’t stick. It will be windy but not as blustery or stormy as it has been in recent days,” he said.
Met Éireann says Thursday morning will be cold with wintry showers and cloud increasing in the afternoon as rain spreads from the southwest, reaching all parts of the country by Friday evening.
Thursday night is forecast to be bitterly cold as temperatures fall to between -3 and 0 degrees.
Friday is expected to be very cold but bright with sunny spells and a risk of occasional wintry showers, particularly over high ground. Met Éireann says temperatures will range between 4-8 degrees on Friday, leading into milder weekend weather.