Care urged amid strong wind warning

The Road Safety Authority has warned road users to take extra care tonight due to "very strong to gale force winds" forecast over west Ulster and Connacht.

Met Éireann has issued its second highest level alert, an orange alert, for Donegal and Mayo with gusts of 100 to 115km/h forecast and winds of 70 to 75km/h forecast. It said winds would be strongest in the coast. It forecast gusts of 90 to 105km/h for other parts of west Ulster and Connacht tonight. There will also be rain tonight but it will be confined to the northwest coasts after midnight

The Road Safety Authority has advised road users to watch for debris and objects being blown onto the roads and to be alert for vehicles veering across the road. It said control of a vehicle could be effected and extra space should be allowed between vehicles and cyclists. It also urged cars to drive with dipped headlights.

It urged pedestrians to be vigilant near traffic or when crossing the road in extremely windy conditions in case a sudden gust of wind blows them onto the path of a vehicle.

There is no let up in the wind tomorrow morning with very blustery conditions for northern areas and severe gusts along the coast and heavy showers. However the winds and rain will ease by the afternoon.

In a welcome contrast to the unseasonably cold spring, there will be good sunny spells in the morning while the afternoon and evening will bring “pleasant sunshin”and temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees, Met Éreann has forecast. The warmest weather will be in Leinster, it said. Wednesday will being further strong and gusty winds, Met Éireann said.