People advised to be careful as Storm Barney hits Ireland

If you were planning on heading out later on, you might want to change those plans and just snuggle up on the sofa with the little ones instead. People are advised to stay indoors this evening if possible as Storm Barney has hit the country.

Rain clearing to shwrs this pm However bec v windy or even stormy; severe&possibly damaging gusts strong to gale force w'ly wind.High 9-15C

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 17, 2015

Met Éireann has issued a number of weather warnings today including a status orange wind warning for Galway, Leinster, Munster and Roscommon. In these areas, gusts of up to 130km/h and stronger are possible. This warning is in place until 9.00pm tonight. There is also a status yellow wind warning in place covering Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Monaghan and Sligo with gusts up to 110 km/h expected.

He’s big& he’s called Barney but he’s not purple and cuddly, Dangerous wind and rain expected, avoid coast/waterways, light up and be seen — An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) November 17, 2015

The Road Safety Authority has told motorists to take extra care on the roads tonight and be wary of fallen debris. Flights from Cork Airport have also been cancelled due to the stormy weather conditions which, as well as potentially damaging winds, include heavy showers and lowest temperatures around 4 to 9 degrees Celsius.