Hatches. Batten down, etc.
A status orange weather warning has been issued for Cork as a wild and windy night gets set to take hold.
According to Met Éireann, a small deepening depression associated with the Atlantic storm system Elsa will track northwards close to the Atlantic seaboard on Wednesday evening.
In response, a status orange wind warning will be in place from 6pm until 9pm.
Strong southerly winds are expected to veer southwest, reaching mean speeds of 65 to 80 kilometres per hour with gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour for a short time.
It follows the extension of a nationwide status yellow weather warning on Wednesday morning.
Now extended until 3am on Thursday, the wind warning highlights southwest winds, later veering southerly, will gust to between 90 and 110 kilometres per hour throughout the day.
Winds are expected to peak by nightfall, the strongest of which are forecast for west and southwest coastal areas.
In addition to the two above warnings, a status yellow rainfall warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford has been in effect since 4am this morning and remains valid until 7pm on Wednesday evening.
A status orange gale warning is also in effect on all coasts and on the Irish Sea.
South to southwest winds are expected to reach storm force this evening and tonight on coasts from Mizen Head to Slyne Head to Malin Head.
