Three weather warnings issued as Storm Erik nears Ireland

The highest winds will be in exposed coastal areas, where these speeds may be exceeded at times. The second warning, another status orange wind warning, is in place for Donegal. It is due to come into effect at 9am on Friday morning, and end at 6am on Saturday. A Met Éireann forecaster said:

"Southwest to west winds will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with some severe or damaging gusts of 110 to 130 km/h. "The highest winds will be in exposed coastal areas, where these values may be exceeded at times. Very high seas as well with some coastal flooding.

The final warning, a status yellow wind warning, is in place for the rest of the country. Met Éireann forecasters have said that southwest to west winds will reach average speeds of 50 to 65 km/h, with gusts of 80 to 110 km/h. Along exposed Atlantic coasts these speeds  may be exceeded for a while and there is a risk of coastal flooding due to high seas. The warning comes into effect at 5am on Friday and will end at 6am on Saturday.