Updated 1.34 PM
MET ÉIREANN HAS upgraded its weather warning from yellow to orange in a number of counties and predicted gusts of up to 90km/h this afternoon.
The weather warning for the counties of Wexford, Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford was issued in the past couple of hours.
The southwest winds will strengthen tonight with gust of up to 120km/h possible in coastal areas.
The severe winds are expected to continue into tonight and tomorrow and will remain until Tuesday when they will calm.
Rain is expected to accompany the winds in the southwest of the country with rain turning to heavy possibly thundery showers in the afternoon. The last of the showers will clear the east coast later this evening.
High seas could trigger some coastal flooding according to Met Éireann who also say that South to southeast gales or strong gales will develop on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea today.
The thundery downpours may lead to local spot flooding inland also.
AA Roadwatch say that motorists should avoid Sally Gap and Roundwood due to a serious risk of ice with strong cross-winds reported on the M8 Dublin to Cork Road between Fermoy and Rathcormack.
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