Met Eireann Storm Pia update amid warnings as brutal 90km/h winds rip across Ireland

16-hour long weather warnings from Met Éireann are in place today as the remnants of Storm Pia, which has been named by Danish weather bosses, rips across the country.

The entire country is under a Status Yellow wind warning since midnight when strong winds began ripping across most counties.

The first Status Yellow wind warning covers Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford and is in place from midnight to 8pm on Thursday.

The second warning, also a Status Yellow wind warning, is for Clare, Kerry, Donegal and Connacht and is in place until 8pm on Thursday.

Met Éireann says "Northwest winds will be very strong at times," with "high waves also expected" in coastal counties.

Met Éireann lists other potential impacts as "debris, loose objects displaced, difficult driving and cycling conditions."

There is also a Status Yellow - Gale warning off the coast from Roches Point to Bloody Foreland to Wicklow Head and on the Irish Sea North of Anglesey.

Met Éireann says "West to northwest winds will reach gale force 8 or higher." This coastal wind warning is in place from 10pm on Wednesday until 11pm on Thursday.

Finally, Met Éireann issued a wind warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry via the Met Office in the UK. It predicts that "strong winds are likely to affect a wide area through Thursday, potentially causing some travel disruption."

Meanwhile, Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather has predicted "very windy conditions for the next five to six days with strong gusts at times."

Alan also posted an update for Christmas travellers: "For those travelling home for Christmas over the next few days there is no significant issues currently forecast. Strong winds could cause some bumpy ferry trips but flights should be OK and Iceland volcano shouldn’t cause any issues either."

For those travelling home for Christmas over the next few days there is no significant issues currently forecast. Strong winds could cause some bumpy ferry trips but flights should be OK and Iceland volcano shouldn’t cause any issues either. pic.twitter.com/NvF3RrPcEn

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) December 19, 2023

He went on to say there will be "plenty of wind over the coming days but rainfall mainly showers and worst in West and North. Cooler today but turning milder for the following few days before possibly turning a little cooler for Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day."

Alan also informed followers of the storm being named by weather officials in Denmark. He said: "The storm bringing us strong winds tomorrow [Thursday] has been named by the Danish Met Office as Storm Pia."

He added: "Along with the strong winds Thursday the 21st will see a cloudy and damp start. However this year the shortest day of the year is the 22nd with the Winter Solstice the 22nd at 03:28 and there is a chance of a few breaks in the clouds Friday morning."

On Thursday morning, he informed followers of the severity of some of the winds overnight.

"Gusting to over 90kmh at several stations this morning with a very windy but mild morning and some showers in Northern areas," he said.

Met Éireann has said today "will be very windy with strong to near gale force, gusty west to northwest winds and with gales in northern areas and near coasts. High seas on Atlantic coasts with potential for wave overtopping. It will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees."

They added that "Friday will continue mostly cloudy and quite windy with fresh to strong, gusty west to northwest winds and with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. A few brighter intervals also, these most likely in the south and east. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees."