Storm Imogen: Orange wind warning issued for southwest

A status orange wind warning has been issued for Monday as storm Imogen is expected to bring wind speeds of up to 75 km/h to south western counties.

The warning for Cork and Kerry comes into effect at 2am on Monday and will last until 9am. “Westerly winds will reach mean speeds of 65 to 75 km/h with gusts of 100 to 120 km/h, strongest winds along the coast,” Met Éireann said.

A status yellow wind warning, which is issued for less severe conditions, will be in place at the same time for counties Clare, Limerick and Waterford. with mean speeds of 55 to 65km/h expectd and gusts of 90 to 100km/h.

A status yellow weather advisory will be in place from midnight on Sunday as an Atlantic depression sweeps across the country from the west, bringing storm force winds to the southwest and southern coasts.

“ There will also be extreme waves along the southwest and west coast during this period with wave heights of between 12 and 15 metres possible,” Met Éireann said.

Monday will be cold with temperatures of between 1 and 3 degrees and outbreaks of sleet and snow on hills and mountains in the west, merging to longer spells of rain and sleet across Ulster.

Tuesday will see longer spells of rain but also interludes of drier weather at times. Temperatures on Tuesday will reach between 5 and 7 degrees at best during the afternoon, falling to below freezing overnight.

Winds are forecast to moderate on Wednesday with continuing showers and longer spells of rain. There will be a risk of frost and ice on untreated surfaces on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.