Met Éireann has extended its status orange wind warning with 11 counties now on alert this weekend as Storm Dennis tracks across the country.
The forecaster issued a weather advisory for the country, warning that the storm will bring wet and very windy weather this weekend and into Monday, with a risk of flooding and damaging gusts.
An orange warning is in place in Waterford and Wexford until 8pm tonight.
Met Éireann forecasts that average wind speeds will reach between 55 and 75 km/h, with gusts of up to 120 km/h expected.
The promenade in Salthill as Storm Dennis approaches. Photo: Gardaí via TwitterThe forecaster issued another orange alert for nine counties tomorrow.
Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick have been warned of severe gusts and the risk of coastal flooding.
Average winds will reach 60 to 80 km/h with gusts of up to 120km/h.
The warning will be in effect from 10am until 10pm tomorrow.
A status yellow wind warning is also in place nationwide today until 8pm.
Met Éireann has forecast "very squally southerly winds" for all countries, with average speeds of 50 to 65 km/h and gusts up to around 100 km/h.
The wind will be strongest on exposed coasts and hills.
Storm Dennis will bring very wet and windy weather today. Strong to gale force southerly winds will continue with severe gusts and localised thunderstorms. Localised flooding is expected, with some coastal overtopping along the Atlantic seaboard. Highs today of 9 to 12 degrees. pic.twitter.com/jy3wBRSG4U
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 15, 2020
There is also a yellow rain alert in place for all counties until 9pm tonight.
The national forecaster says the country will experience spells of heavy and thundery rain which will lead to some flooding.
Power outages
Thousands of homes and businesses are without electricity as the result of the stormy conditions.
At the height of the outages this afternoon, the worst affected areas were Clonmel in Co Tipperary, Macroom in Co Cork and Rathmore in Co Kerry.
ESB crews are working to restore power in affected areas.
Travel has also been disrupted, with a small number of flights cancelled to and from Dublin Airport.
Several flights have been delayed and customers are advised to check with their airlines before going to the airport.
Meanwhile, the UK's Met Office has issued danger to life warnings for parts of the country as Storm Dennis approaches.
It has been described as the "perfect storm" with hundreds of flights cancelled and the army in place to provide support in Calderdale, West Yorkshire.
Saturday afternoon will be very wet and windy across the UK with #StormDennis and lots of weather warnings in force
Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/JxGEAaERZ0— Met Office (@metoffice) February 15, 2020
