Difficult driving conditions forecast with both wind and rain warnings in place

The forecaster warned wind could lead to difficult travelling conditions. Picture: Denis Minihane.

A yellow wind warning is currently in place for Ireland, with a yellow rain warning also issued for much of the country.

Met Éireann put the wind warning in place from midnight until 6pm on Thursday, and has forecast strong and gusty south-westerly winds.

The forecaster warned the wind could lead to difficult travelling conditions, debris or loose objects displaced, as well as ome fallen branches or trees.

A yellow rain warning is also in place for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, and Connacht.

The forecaster warned the heavy downpours in some places could lead to spot flooding, poor visibility as well as difficult travelling.

The second warning will be in place until 3pm this Thursday.

National outlook

Today will be cold with clear spells and scattered blustery showers, with some heavy with isolated thunderstorms possible tonight. According to Met Éireann, some of the showers will be a wintry mix of rain, hail, and sleet - and temporary snow may be possible in the northwest. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 3 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty southwesterly winds with gales along Atlantic coasts.

On Friday, the weather will be cold and breezy with bright or sunny spells and scattered showers. Meanwhile, showers will gradually become less frequent early in the evening, becoming largely confined to Atlantic coastal counties with clear spells developing for a time. Cloud will increase from the Atlantic overnight with patchy rain and drizzle developing in western areas. Westerly winds will ease light to moderate and back southwesterly overnight. Lowest temperatures of -1 to 3C.

According to the forecaster, Saturday will start dry in the east with some sunshine, but cloud will continue to thicken from the west through the morning as patchy rain and drizzle spreads across the country during the afternoon. Highest temperatures will be of 7 to 10C in light to moderate westerly winds.