LAST UPDATE | 15 Dec 2018

MET ÉIREANN HAS issued a Status Orange wind warning for four counties, as Storm Deirdre brings damaging gusts of up to 110km/h.

The status orange wind warning for Wexford, Donegal, Cork and Waterford is in place from 3pm until 10pm.

The remainder of the country has been issued with the lesser Status Yellow warning.  

Storm Deirdre is currently tracking northeast over Ireland with Ulster and Leinster expected to bare the brunt of the storm force winds this evening. Average wind speeds will be 55-65 km/h with gusts of 110km/h.

In western and southern counties Met Éireann has warned of “disruptive and damaging” gusts of up to 130km/h in the afternoon, gradually moving eastwards. 

Cork City Fire Brigade has said that one person was brought to hospital after being injured by a fallen tree. 

Met Éireann said this afternoon that a gust of 148 km/h was recorded off the south coast at the Kinsale gas platform. A gust of 107 km/h was recorded on land in Cork.  

ESB Networks is reporting power outages in a number of areas including parts of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Offaly, Wicklow and Dublin. 

The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has said this afternoon that Killarney National Park is closed for today and other parks may be closed later. 

“While other National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) locations may remain open, the NPWS would urge members of the public to take all necessary precautions for the duration of the weather warning,” the department said in a statement.

A status yellow rain warning is also in place for the country until midnight, as rains fall is expected to accumulate 30 to 50mm. 

Widespread rain will bring the risk of spot flooding, with temperatures falling to between 1 to 4 degrees.  

The rain is set to ease off later tonight, turning to light showers, with the wind also abating.

It will be much colder with frost in places as temperatures dip between 1 and 4 degrees. 

Tomorrow will see widespread rain in western and southern counties, while the Midlands and eastern areas will see some sunny spells. 

- With reporting by Rónán Duffy