Flooding possible as Cork among eight counties under wind and rain warning

Met Éireann is warning of strong and gusty winds along with heavy and thundery showers. Picture Denis Minihane.

A status yellow wind and rain warning is currently in place in eight counties across the country.

The warning, which covers Cork, Kerry, Clare, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Mayo and Wexford, will be in place until 11pm on Saturday night.

Met Éireann is warning of strong and gusty winds along with heavy and thundery showers.

According to the forecaster, possible impacts may include surface flooding, wave overtopping, loose debris, objects displaced, and difficult travelling conditions.

From 11pm, counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Clare will be under a status yellow wind warning.

That warning will be in place until 5pm on Sunday.

Met Éireann is warning that westerly winds veering northwesterly will be strong and gusty at times.

And again, possible dangers include wave overtopping, difficult travelling conditions, loose debris and objects displaced.

More generally, rain will continue to clear eastwards on Saturday morning with sunshine and showers following.

Highest temperatures today will reach 6C to 9C.

According to Met Eireann, New Year's Eve will see "scattered showers and strong to near gale force winds." Highest temperatures of 5C to 8C are expected.

On Sunday night, showers will continue and there will be a "chance of hail and thunder."

Some frost or ice will form with lowest temperatures of -1C to 4C predicted.

There will be "sunny spells and scattered showers" on New Year's Day, and on New Year's night, outbreaks of rain will "turn a bit wintry, especially on the hills."

Looking ahead, it will be turn colder later in the week with frost and icy patches likely by night, with some mist and fog patches too.

WEATHER CENTRE

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