Storm Hector declared as Met Eireann raises weather warning alert level

Met Eireann has raised its weather warning level to Orange after declaring storm status.

Storm Hector is set to sweep Ireland on Wednesday and Thursday bringing heavy rain and powerful winds to parts.

An Orange Warning is in place for Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Sligo.

The forecaster says that on Wednesday evening and night and for a time on Thursday morning, south to southwest winds veering westerly, associated with Storm Hector, will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/hr with gusts of 110 to 125 km/hr. Winds will be strongest in coastal areas.

A Status Yellow wind warning is in place for Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Roscommon, Clare and Kerry

On Wednesday evening and night and for a time on Thursday morning, south to southwest winds veering westerly, associated with Storm.

The Met Eireann forecast for Leinster today Wednesday June 13 is for the day to stay dry for much of the morning /early afternoon but with cloud thickening. Outbreaks of rain developing in the afternoon /evening and gradually becoming more persistent. Southerly winds gradually freshening, becoming windy by evening. Highs of 17 or 18 degrees.

Tonight will be wet and windy overnight with strong and gusty southerly winds veering westerly through the night. The rain will turn to showers later in the night. Lows of 11 or 12 degrees.

The grass pollen count is very high, and the solar UV index is moderate but high in any sunshine.

Thursday will start very windy and gusty with heavy blustery showers but will calm down through the day.

The strong westerly winds will ease soon after midday and it will be less windy for the afternoon /evening. There will be still a few showers through the second half of the day but they will be much more scattered and the skies will be brighter. Highs of 16 to 18 degrees.