A total of 20 counties are on a status yellow wind alert as dire conditions set in this evening.

The first two alerts will be in place for all Leinster and Connach until 6pm today as it is set to reach speeds of up to 90km / h.

The second warning is for Kavan, Monaghan and Donegal, until 9 p.m.

It reads: “Strong winds from south to southwest, blowing at more than 90 kilometers per hour.”

Meanwhile, wet weather is still expected but conditions will ease today and tomorrow.

A Met Iron prophet said: “There will be more or less rain tonight and tonight, with continuous rain in the southwest, moving north throughout the night, and again in the south of the country in the morning.

“Overnight temperatures will hover between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius and will drop to 4 to 6 degrees Celsius in the morning. Winds will be moderate to southerly and remain strong along the coast.

“Tomorrow and Sunday, especially in the northern half of the country, with rain or showers, sunshine and scattered showers elsewhere. Moderate to fresh winds of 8 to 11 degrees in the afternoon.”

As we move into next week, meteorologists warn that the cold will be dry and the snow is likely to return.

One forecaster added: “Monday morning westerly rain extends eastward to all regions, morning and afternoon, with strong southwesterly winds of up to 12 or 13 degrees, strong along the coast.

“It’s raining Monday night in the west and north.

“Tuesday mild and windy clear weather with rain in the south and west. 13 to 15 degrees high, fresh and strong south wind.

“It will be sunny on Wednesday, regular in the western and northern parts, and then continuous in the north-western part. It will be as high as 9 or 10 degrees in the morning, but it will be cold in the afternoon when a cold ground enters.