Today

An extremely windy start to Friday with further severe or damaging gusts - overnight rain clearing eastwards early in the morning, with some thundery bursts of rain for a time yet. However a clearance will quickly develop - brightening up even as of early morning in some parts, with a mix of sunshine and scattered blustery showers following for the rest of the day.

Whilst the winds will ease a little, staying rather windy for the day, with fresh to strong and gusty westerly winds. Turning cooler through the day, with some hail showers occurring in the north and west later - showers will be more widespread at that point too.

Highest afternoon temperatures will range a near normal 7 to 11 degrees Celsius, best values for southeastern counties.

Tonight

Cold and blustery after dark with clear spells and scattered heavy showers. Some of the showers will turn to sleet or snow across the north, with the odd wintry flurry possible on higher ground elsewhere.

Despite a brisk westerly wind, frost and ice will set in, with overnight lows falling back to between 0 and 3 degrees Celsius.

Weather warnings

Wind Warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Dublin, Longford, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford (status orange)

Southwest winds later veering westerly will increase 65 to 80 km/h overnight and will gust 110 to 130 km/h at times. The strongest winds mainly in northern and western coastal areas. Valid until 9am.

Wind Warning for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon, Limerick and Tipperary (status yellow)

Southwest winds later veering westerly will increase 50 to 65 km/h overnight and will gust 100 to 110 km/h at times. Valid until 9am.