Thousands without power as severe winds continue around the country

Combined high wind and high tide at times made the waves breach the walls of Dún Laoghaire Pier this afternoon. Picture: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

Thousands of homes and businesses around the country are without power this afternoon.

The ESB says the largest faults are in Boyle, Co Roscommom with 805 affected and Bangor Erris in Co Mayo at 823.

A Status Orange wind warning is still in place for Donegal, Galway and Mayo until 3pm while the rest of the country is under a Status Yellow alert.

The three warnings issued for today are:

Status Yellow - 5am until 5pm: Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford.

Status Yellow - 6am until 4pm: Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary.

Status Orange - 11am until 3pm: Donegal, Galway and Mayo.

Met Éireann Forecaster, Gerry Murphy, says things will settle this evening.

"While we have a deepening Atlantic depression moving up along the west and north-west coast and that will generate very strong winds and severe gusts," said Mr Murphy.

"However, these warnings will lapse early this evening as that weather system moves away and the winds ease.

"Heavy rain in the east of the country will clear this afternoon.

"So, overall things improving as we go through this evening into the early night."

Motorists are being reminded to give pedestrians and cyclists more space on the roads during adverse conditions.

Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Officer with Mayo County Council, says the first step to driving safely during strong winds is to slow down.

"We are asking people first to reduce their speed. Reducing speed is critical," said Mr Gibbons.

"Any fallen debris or object could be suddenly blown onto the road. Vehicles can also be more difficult to control in high winds, particularly high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists.

"We are also reminding drivers that cyclists and other road users need to be given more space than normal in these type of weather conditions."

Entire country under Status Yellow wind warning 

Heavy outbreaks of rain are forecast during the morning but these will clear to drier conditions extending from the west later in the day.

Update 8am: The entire country is under a Status Yellow wind warning with three counties set to have that upgraded later this morning.

Met Éireann expects 'severe' gusts of up to 110km/h and has warned of heavy rain and possible coastal flooding.

The ESB are reporting some large faults this morning in Ballydehob, Goleen and surrounding areas of Co Cork as well as in Ballyboughal and Lusk in Co Dublin.

The three warnings issued for today are:

Status Yellow - 5am until 5pm: Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford.

Status Yellow - 6am until 4pm: Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary.

Status Orange - 11am until 3pm: Donegal, Galway and Mayo.

The UK Met Office has also issued a Status Yellow wind warning for Antrim and Down which came into effect at 4am and will remain in place until midnight tonight.

Heavy outbreaks of rain are forecast during the morning but these will clear to drier conditions extending from the west later in the day.

Next week looks set to be unsettled, getting cooler through the midweek.

Tonight will be mainly dry as scattered outbreaks of rain in the north and east will clear through the morning to leave a mostly dry and cloudy day with some showers and bright spells.

People are being warned to take care today while the wind warnings are in place.

Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Officer with Mayo County Council is urging people nationwide to be fully informed before setting off on a journey.

"If you have to travel, listen out for local news bulletins and follow any county council social media accounts to keep up to date with any road closures," said Mr Gibbons.

"The last thing you want is to get stuck in a queue of traffic due to a road closure which could have been avoided.

"We want to make sure that people have a safe Valentine's Day on our roads, make sure that you travel safely and remember to only take essential journeys."