LAST UPDATE | 26 Dec 2020

RAIN, WIND AND gale warnings are in place across the country today as Storm Bella approaches Ireland, bringing strong winds and heavy rain.

Status Yellow wind and rainfall warnings have been issued, and will apply from 3pm today until early on Sunday morning. The wind warning will last until 3am while the rain warning lasts until 4am.

Met Éireann expects that westerly winds associated with Storm Bella will reach mean speeds of 50 to 65 km/h.

Some gusts could reach up to 90 to 110 km/h, and gusts will be higher at times near the coast in the west of the country.

There is a risk of coastal flooding along the west coast due to the combination of strong winds, high waves and the forecasted storm surge.

Heavy rain is forecast for the the afternoon, evening and during the night, moving southwards over the country, and localised flooding could occur.

The UK Met Office has issued a Status Yellow wind and rain warning for Fermanagh, Tyrone, Armagh, Down, Antrim and Derry, lasting from 1pm until 10pm tonight.

Met Éireann also upgraded a Status Yellow gale warning for marine areas to Status Orange. That warning came into effect at 5am this morning.

West to southwest winds are expected to reach gale force or strong gale force today and early tonight on coastal waters and on the Irish Sea.