Stormy weather is on the way to Ireland’s west coast this week as Tropical Storm Nigel brings unsettled conditions.
The major storm is expected to turn into a Category 3 hurricane by Tuesday, mainly affecting the southeast coast of the US.
Ireland is bracing for the tail end of Nigel as it transitions back into a storm.
Heavy rainfall and high winds are expected over the coming days.
A status yellow rain alert is in place from midnight on Tuesday (Monday night) until 6am on Wednesday.
Counties Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Donegal, and all of Connacht are advised to take care for localised flooding and travel disruption.
The warning says: “Spells of rain will be heavy and persistent at times giving accumulative totals of 30 to 60mm, locally higher on hills. The rain will ease off for a time in many parts on Tuesday daytime, before heavy spells of rain return Tuesday evening and night.”
A second alert for wind takes effect from 6am to 6pm on Wednesday. Strong and gusty winds could create a risk of falling branches/trees and loose debris blowing around, coupled with difficult driving conditions.