Storm Dave: Met Éireann extends nationwide wind warning as passengers brace for disruption

The nationwide warning will come into effect at 3pm on Saturday and remain in place until midnight on Sunday. File picture

A status yellow wind warning has been issued for the entire country as Storm Dave is set to bring strong winds this weekend.

Met Éireann says the storm will bring very strong southerly winds, which will veer westerly by Saturday evening. Severe gusts and coastal gales are expected as the system moves across Ireland.

The nationwide warning will come into effect at 1pm on Saturday and remain in place until 2am on Sunday.

Those travelling by ferry, air, and rail have been warned that their plans may be disrupted by the storm.

Forecasters have indicated that the combination of strong winds and coastal conditions may lead to hazardous conditions, particularly in exposed and coastal areas.

Both Irish Ferries and Brittany Ferries say the storm is likely to cause cancelled crossings.

Those planning to fly have not yet had plans dashed, but have been urged to check notifications regarding their journeys, during what is expected to be the busiest weekend of travel yet this year at Dublin Airport.

Engineering works on rail tracks have already led to disruption on some rail routes in Cork, Dublin, and others, but the bad weather has not yet hampered any specific journeys, although passengers have been urged to be vigilant about changes.

A nationwide weather advisory will come into effect in place from 2am on Friday until 1.30pm on Saturday.

The forecaster said the weather will be "unsettled and mixed over Easter with a mobile Atlantic flow affecting Ireland".

There is potential for some "severe or damaging west to southwest gusts" and "coastal flooding is likely, especially around high tide times and in exposed, low-lying locations along the Atlantic coastal counties".