Strong winds and gusts expected to reach up to 110km/h

Aer Lingus flights to London and Amsterdam delayed up to three hours

A heavy snap hailstone shower lasting not more than five minutes accompanied by heavy winds took Dubliners by surprise this afternoon. Met Éireann issued a national weather warning for gale force winds today. Video: Bryan O'Brien

Met Éireann has issued a national weather warning for gale force winds today.

The status yellow alert warns gusts of winds could reach up to 110 km/h and mean wind speeds of 60km/h.

The alert is in place until Tuesday 6pm when the national forecaster will review if it will be necessary to extend it.

Showers are widespread today with a risk of hail, sleet and isolated thunderstorms, especially in the northern half of the country.

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Top temperatures will reach 6 degrees in the north and 10 degrees in the rest of the country.

Gardaí have asked road users to be careful and watch out for fallen debris following windy overnight conditions and strong winds today.

An Aer Lingus spokeswoman said the airline had delays ranging from 1.5 to three hours on some flights on Tuesday.

“Flights to Amsterdam and London are affected by high winds and related restrictions at both airports,” she said.

Flights to the same airports were delayed between two to three hours on Monday due to strong winds, and had take-off and landing restrictions.

A Ryanair spokesman said a some of the airline’s flights in Germany and one in the UK needed be diverted today due to strong winds.

Outlook for week

Looking at the rest of the week the winds are set to become more moderate.

On Wednesday, it will be a mainly dry and bright start in the morning in the west and east, but further showers in the north and west.

Rain will spread across the country and the highest temperature will reach 11 degrees.

The weather will stay cloudy and mild with scattered showers on Thursday.

On Good Friday, there will be some sunny spells and a mostly dry evening.

The nights will get cold and frosty over Easter weekend as temperatures drop. However, the days will be sunny withlight winds with a top temperature of 11 degrees.

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty is Digital Features Editor and journalist with The Irish Times