Met Éireann has issued four status yellow warnings for wind and rain covering today, Tuesday, September 29, and tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, with the first alerts already in force across Munster and the southwest.

A wind warning for all of Munster remains in place until 9:00p.m tonight. Forecasters expect very strong and gusty south-easterly winds across the province, bringing the risk of wave overtopping and coastal flooding, difficult travelling conditions, fallen trees and branches, and debris and loose objects displaced.

A separate rain warning covers counties Cork, Kerry and Waterford, also running until 9:00p.m tonight. Spells of heavy rain are expected, with the potential for localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility.

A further wind warning came into effect at 3:00p.m this afternoon for counties Galway, Mayo and Sligo, and again remains in force until 9:00p.m tonight. As in Munster, very strong and gusty south-easterly winds are expected, with potential impacts including difficult travelling conditions, some fallen trees and branches, and debris and loose objects displaced.

The final alert is a rain warning for counties Wexford and Wicklow, which comes into effect at 9:00p.m tonight and stays in place until 4:00a.m tomorrow morning. Spells of heavy rain are expected, with the possibility of localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility.

National picture

Across the country as a whole, today will be windy, with strong and gusty south-easterly winds reaching gale force near coasts. Outbreaks of rain will turn heavier and more persistent from the southwest through the afternoon and evening, with localised flooding possible.

Highest afternoon temperatures will reach 15° to 19°, or 20° in places.

Tonight will stay wet for a time across eastern and northeastern parts, with an ongoing chance of localised flooding at first. Drier and clearer conditions to the south and west will gradually extend to all parts overnight, with scattered showers following from the Atlantic.

Strong and gusty south-easterly winds will ease to light to moderate southerly overland as the rain clears, but winds will stay fresh to strong along coasts. Lowest temperatures tonight will fall to 10° to 14°.

Farmers in the affected counties should plan machinery movements, livestock checks and any haulage around the 9:00p.m expiry of the first three warnings, while watching Met Éireann for updates before the Wexford and Wicklow rain alert lifts at 4:00a.m tomorrow.