WEATHER WARNING: Storm Kathleen set to clatter Ireland and Laois

Met Éireann has put Laois and the rest of Ireland on alert for Storm Kathleen which has caused the forecaster to issue Status Orange and Yellow Alerts.

The Storm was officially announced by Met Éireann on Thursday, April 4. The forecaster expects Storm Kathleen to bring gale force southerly winds, with some severe and damaging gusts.

The storm is due to hit Ireland on Saturday and has led to a Status Orange wind warning for Cork, Kerry, Galway and Mayo. Met Éireann says: "Storm Kathleen will bring gale force southerly winds, with some severe and damaging gusts."

They list possible impacts as "very difficult travel conditions, fallen trees, some power outages, coastal flooding and wave overtopping."

The warning for those counties is valid from 7am to 5pm on Saturday.

A Status Yellow wind warning for the rest of Ireland on Saturday warns of "very strong and gusty southerly winds associated with Storm Kathleen."

Possible impacts include "some fallen trees, difficult travel conditions, debris, loose objects displaced and some coastal flooding."

This national warning is valid from 7am to 8pm on Saturday. MORE BELOW TWEET.

⚠️#StormKathleen has been named by Met Éireann

Storm Kathleen will bring gale force southerly winds, with some severe and damaging gusts.

Onset 07:00 Saturday 06/04/ to 17:00 Saturday 06/04/2024

Keep updated here⬇️https://t.co/z40PFYenWU pic.twitter.com/UibOKa4P7F

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) April 4, 2024

National Forecast issued at 9.58 am on by Met Éireann

Thursday: Rain will develop in the south early this afternoon, spreading northwards through the day and turning heavy at times. Some parts of north Ulster will stay dry. Highest temperatures of 8 to 13 degrees in a light to moderate southeasterly breeze.

A wet start tonight with widespread rain. The rain will clear northwards overnight, followed by scattered showers and clear spells from the south. Lowest temperatures of 5 degrees in the north to 10 degrees in the south in moderate to fresh southerly winds, strong at times in the southwest.

Friday: A mostly cloudy and blustery day with showers at first and more persistent spells of rain developing in the afternoon. The rain will clear northwards later in the afternoon and evening, with some bright spells developing. Mild with highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds.

On Friday night, rain will spread northwards over Ireland. It will be heavy at times with spot flooding possible. It will clear to the north by morning with showers following. South to southeast winds will strengthen overnight, becoming strong and gusty by morning. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees.

Saturday: The morning will be very windy with strong, gusty southerly winds and widespread showers, some heavy. Winds will ease somewhat in the afternoon, but will continue fresh to strong and gusty. Highest temperatures of 13 to 15 degrees

Saturday night will bring clear spells and scattered blustery showers. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 8 degrees with fresh, gusty southwest winds.

Sunday: Bright and blustery with sunshine and scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees in strong southwest winds. On Sunday night, showers will mostly die out and winds will gradually ease.

Monday: Rain will spread northwards over the country and will be heaviest in the east and south. A cold day with highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees. The rain will gradually clear eastwards overnight.

Tuesday: Sunny spells and showers will follow with moderate to fresh westerly breezes and highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees.

Met Éireann says 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.

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel says "the storm is set to bring a spell of stormy weather across the country during Saturday morning, with winds up to 130km/h possible in coastal areas of the south and west."

"The storm is likely to develop rapidly during Friday, reaching a central pressure of 947hPa, which is deep at anytime of the year, but especially so for the middle of spring, with elevated sea levels likely as a result," he added.

"Our main concern, however, is of course the strength of the winds. Gusting up to 130km/h in exposed coastal areas, though up to 120km/h across the counties under an orange warning, getting up to 110km/h elsewhere.

"Some transport disruption is likely on Saturday morning, especially in the aforementioned counties likely to be under a status orange weather warning. Power disruption will also occur as fallen branches and trees are likely."