A STATUS ORANGE wind warning has been issued for five counties for tonight, with gusts of up to 125 km/hr expected.

According to Met Éireann, counties Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Sligo will be covered by the warning, which comes into effect this evening at 9pm and lasts until 10am tomorrow.

The winds are associated with the incoming Storm Hector, with mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/hr with gusts of 110 to 125 km/hr. The winds will be strongest in coastal areas.

A lesser Status Yellow warning has also been issued for counties Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Roscommon, Clare and Kerry.

In those areas winds are expected to reach mean speeds of 55 to 65 km/hr with gusts of up 90 to 110 km/hr.

In general, the weather is set to remain cloudy this afternoon and become more unsettled as the day progresses.

More severe wet and windy weather will hit most areas this evening.

Tomorrow will start very windy in the areas affected by the warnings, with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers across the country.