Wind warning upgraded to orange with 130km/h gusts

Met Éireann has upgraded its wind warning to orange for the whole country as gusts of up to 130km/h are forecast.

Gardaí have warned all road users to “exercise caution due to high winds”.

Orange level is the second highest warning alert category for conditions which could "significantly impact"on people in affected areas.

The meteorologists warn of southwesterly winds which will reach average speeds of 60-80 km/h with gusts of 100-130km/h. The warning is in place from Saturday until Sunday afternoon.

The forecast on Saturday is for some heavy showers and thundery downpours with possible surface flooding. The weather is set to worsen on Saturday night with heavy rain spreading from the Atlantic overnight.

By Sunday morning Met Éireann is forecasting heavy rain and gales. However the rain is expected to clear on Sunday afternoon with showers becoming more scattered and winds moderating. Temperatures are also expected to drop as the day goes on.

An orange level marine gale warning has also been issued. It has forecast gales of force eight and up to storm force 10 on all Irish coastal waters on Saturday and Sunday.

Limerick City and County Council has urged people to avoid travel where necessary and to pay attention to Met Éireann’s weather advisory.

“Members of the public are advised to stay away from rivers and other water bodies. The council is on full alert and will respond to emergencies as they arise or as it is safe to do so,” the council said.

AA Roadwatch warned of surface water on Dublin's M50 both ways on Saturday with some debris near the Finglas exit. There was flooding near Loughrea, Co Galway and Enniscrone in Co Sligo. The motoring body also warned of high winds on the M6 Dublin/Galway Road near Tullamore, on the M7 near Castletroy and on the M50.