Winds gusting to up 70 m.p.h. are expected across the country today as Hurricane Floyd makes its presence felt on this side of the Atlantic.
Met Eireann has issued a gale warning to local authorities and emergency services, with storm damage to trees, telephone poles and other structures expected. There is also a risk of flash flooding in certain areas.
The storm, which had been gathering in the mid-Atlantic yesterday, hit the west coast of Ireland last night.
Strong winds and showers were due to spread across the country overnight, reaching easterly areas by mid-morning or early afternoon today.
Eireann, the storm has been exacerbated by Hurricane Floyd which "threw up a lot of warm, humid tropical air which has given more energy to the depression".
Coming from a south to south-easterly direction, the strong winds have resulted in high, choppy seas, affecting ferry crossings to Britain and France.
Cork Swansea Ferries cancelled its inbound sailing last night as well as this morning's sailing to Swansea.
Its morning sailing from Cork to St Malo has been postponed until 6 p.m. today.
Meanwhile, Stena Line said it expected severe disruption of its sailings today and asked passengers to keep in touch with its travel information service. Its two early-morning HSS sailings were "extremely doubtful" as wave heights were expected to exceed the four-metre safety limit.
The winds are due to die down tonight and tomorrow morning. However, thundery showers will continue with just a few patches of sunshine tomorrow creeping in from the west.
Temperatures will remain relatively high at 16C18 Celsius, making it feel close and humid. Fog is expected on high ground.
