Storm Kathleen set to arrive this weekend as Met Éireann issues Status Orange wind warning

The storm will potentially lead to difficult travelling conditions, some power outages and wave overtopping.

A Status Yellow wind warning for the entire country will come into force at 7am on Saturday and will be valid until 8pm.

A Status Orange wind warning for Cork, Kerry, Galway and Mayo will also come into effect at the same time until 5pm.

The national forecaster said there would be very strong and gusty southerly winds. Possible effects include fallen trees, debris, loose objects displaced and some coastal flooding.

Meanwhile, there will be a break in the rain for many parts of the country today but wet weather will spread from the south later in the day.

It will be mainly dry and cloudy and a few bright spells will develop, though showers will arrive by the evening and turn heavy at times. Highest daytime temperatures today will be between 8C and 12C.

Overnight, the rain is forecast to be persistent early on but will gradually clear leaving some showers and clear spells. Temperatures will range from 6C and 10C.

Tomorrow will start out cloudy with a mix of longer spells of rain and blustery showers. The rain will clear in the afternoon and bright spells will follow. Daytime temperatures will range between 13C and 16C.

Rain will return overnight and will be widespread across the country. It will be heavy at times and spot flooding is possible in places.

Met Éireann said the weekend would continue to be unsettled, with more spells of rain on the way.

Saturday will begin very windy with widespread showers. Winds will ease later in the day and temperatures will range between 13C and 15C.

There will be some clear spells overnight but there will also be blustery showers at times too and temperatures will range between 6C and 8C.

There will be some sunshine on Sunday but scattered showers are also forecast, though they will die out overnight. Daytime temperatures are expected to be between 10C and 12C.

Rain will spread across the country on Monday, with showers heaviest in the east and south. It will be colder with temperatures ranging between 6C and 10C.

Tuesday will bring sunny spells and showers, with temperatures between 9C and 11C. Further into the week, Met Éireann says rain is expected to persist.

"Current indications suggest that the weather will continue unsettled for the rest of next week with spells of rain or showers spreading eastwards across the country,” Met Éireann said.