Status yellow weather warning in effect as harsh conditions sweep Ireland

Heavy rain and strong winds are taking over the country this Sunday, February 23, with rain and wind warnings in place for 15 counties, issued by Met Éireann.

The status yellow rain and wind warnings came into effect for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, the entirety of Munster, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo at 2am, with the warnings set to be lifted at 3pm this afternoon.

A separate status yellow wind warning has also been issued for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo. It will come into effect at 3pm and end at midnight. 

In the north of the country, the UK Met Office has issued a status yellow wind warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry, stating, "Strong winds may lead to some disruption." This warning came into effect at 3am and will be lifted at 3pm this afternoon. 

The forecaster has warned the public that the possible impacts of these adverse weather conditions are localised flooding, fallen trees, loose debris, and poor visibility. 

Motorists are also being urged to drive cautiously due to the difficult travelling conditions. 

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Already feeling the effects of this harsh weather is Cork, where hundreds are now without power in Ringaskiddy.

According to PowerCheck.ie, roughly over 2,600 people are currently without power in Ireland, with the majority of these cases being in Bealistown, Wexford, as a result of the severe weather.

Transport company Stenaline has cancelled their sailings for the day, along with Irish Ferries, who stood down their services from Holyhead to Dublin. However, Irish Ferries services will resume in time for their 7:30pm departure.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather took to social media and gave an insight into today's weather, and the forecast for the week ahead, "There is good sunny spells moving in behind the rain out in the west, but there will also be some very heavy showers, possibly even thundery this afternoon, but good sunny spells. It's staying windy, and very windy, in the northwest.

"If we look then at the coming week, it will turn a little bit cooler but good sunny spells. Now there will be showers but Monday and Tuesday, good sunny spells, that's the good news. Wednesday, now it looks like the heaviest rain will stay south of Ireland, which is good news. A little bit of uncertainty there yet, but it is looking good. So, cooler, but good sunny spells, not as windy and some showers yes, and some will be heavy, but not torrential rain."

To keep up to date with the latest on Ireland's weather and the status yellow wind and rain warnings, go here.