A 'status red' wind warning remains in place in parts this morning, as storm Rachel sweeps across the country.

Met Eireann issued the alert for the west and north west, with the worst of the weather on coastal areas.

An orange warning is still in place for the rest of the country, with gusts of up to 150 kilometres per hour possible in some parts.

The storm was forecast to peak in the lead up to 9am and the ESB says it anticipates further damages and loses to supply during that time.

Evelyn Cusack joined Pat Kenny this morning to discuss the weather conditions around the country and stated that Met Éireann rarely issue a red alert warning, maybe "two or three times a year."

However, she did say that the weather outlook was a little better in the lead up to the weekend.

"We don't expect another storm for another while yet."

"Thankfully the storm centre is moving away, it's moving across Scotland and on towards Norway.

"We're into the cold air for the next few days so for the weekend now, it looks sunny everywhere but that means very frosty every night.