Storm Deirdre: ‘Disruptive and damaging’ weather expected across the country

It may be a busy weekend for Christmas shopping and travelling around the country but we've been warned to expect some severe conditions today.

Storm Deirdre is set to hit Ireland later today, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange weather warning for the whole country. It'll come into effect at 3pm this afternoon and last until midnight tonight. The storm is forecast to bring "disruptive and damaging" gusts of up to 130 km/h in the east and south in the late afternoon before moving to the north and east. A separate Status Yellow warning for rainfall has also been issued. Met Éireann is forecasting that up to 5cm of rain could fall in some areas. The counties of Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Donegal, Cork and Waterford have already been on Yellow alert for rain since early this morning. Conditions could become "severe and hazardous" later today and members of the public have been advised to take all necessary precautions. The Road Safety Authority has urged motorists to slow down while driving in treacherous conditions. Meanwhile, some expect the bad weather to continue into next week. Looking ahead, Carlow Weather's Alan O'Reilly said; "Very unsettled and disturbed weather is expected through the week ahead, with well above normal rainfall and some strong winds at times also. "Mild on Monday and Tuesday but cooler through midweek."