LAST UPDATE | 21 Dec 2023

THOUSANDS OF HOMES and businesses are without power this morning as a number of wind warnings are in place nationwide. 

A Status Yellow wind warning is in place for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford until 8pm this evening. 

Met Éireann has warned that northwest winds will be very strong at times. It also warned that the winds could lead to debris, loose objects displaced and difficult driving and cycling conditions. 

Another Status Yellow wind warning is in place for Clare, Kerry, Donegal and all of Connacht until 8pm. 

In this warning, Met Éireann has also advised that high waves are expected and there is a possibility of wave overtopping. 

Another Status Yellow wind warning will be in place for Donegal and Leitrim from midnight until 7am. 

The UK’s Met Office has issued a Yellow wind warning for the six counties in Northern Ireland. This warning is in place until 9pm. 

A spokesperson for the ESB has this morning said strong winds associated with the warnings “have led to a number of outages in parts of the country”. 

It’s understood the number of homes and businesses are in the low thousands. According to the ESB Power Check website, there is around 11,000 customers without power. 

“This morning, the largest outages are in Wicklow town, Arklow and Bantry. So far, the scale of disruption has been in line with past experiences of similar warnings,” the spokesperson said. 

“ESB Networks crews are responding to outages as quickly and safely as possible,” they said, adding that “crews will continue to respond to any outages as they arise throughout the day”. 

Looking at the general forecast, Met Éireann has said today will be very windy with strong to near gale force, gusty west to northwest winds. 

Outbreaks of rain and drizzle are forecast. 

Tonight is due to remain windy and conditions will be mostly cloudy with further outbreaks and rain and drizzle. 

Tomorrow is forecast to continue mostly cloudy and quite windy, again with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. 

Met Éireann has said conditions will continue mild, breezy and mostly cloudy up to Christmas Eve with rain at times. 

It’s expected to turn colder from Christmas Day onwards with rain or showers at times.