Met Éireann issues weather warning
Met Éireann has issued a "status Orange" wind warning - with gusts of over 120 kilometres per hour recorded this morning.
Please drive with great care this morning, gale force winds are affecting many routes beware fallen objects & drive to the conditions, Bsafe
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) December 5, 2013
The most powerful winds so far have been felt in Ulster - with Connacht and Leinster also subjected to gale force winds of 80 to 100 kilometres per hour.
Gardai assist Fire Brigade & ESB, wind caused fallen ESB pole, Castlecomer rd, Kilkenny this morning. Road open again pic.twitter.com/biLbsLqLPX
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) December 5, 2013
Met Éireann says the conditions could "significantly impact on people in affected areas".
Westerly gales continuing this morn with gusts to about 120km/h.Heavy rain also this morning over Ulst & parts of Conn with local flooding.
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 5, 2013
The status-orange wind warning has been issued for Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal, with east to southwest winds predicted to reach average speeds of 55-70kph and gusts of 100-120kph tonight.
A status-yellow wind warning was issued for Munster and Leinster, with west to southwest winds predicted to reach average speeds of 45-65 kph and gust 80-110kph.
Derry: Due to strong winds the Foyle Bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles. http://t.co/nqdTLmlPQj
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) December 5, 2013
SLIGO: High winds are driving waves onto Rosses Point Rd (R291) at Cartron & have caused flooding. Take extra care. http://t.co/nqdTLmlPQj
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) December 5, 2013
Fallen trees have led to traffic disruption around the country this morning.
Debris has been reported on the M9 Dublin/ Waterford Rd southbound between J4 Castledermot and J5 Carlow. http://t.co/nqdTLmlPQj
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) December 5, 2013
WICKLOW: The N11 is closed northbound at Glen of the Downs to facilitate the removal of dangerous trees. http://t.co/nqdTLmlPQj
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) December 5, 2013
Dublin: Reports of a fallen tree at Kilternan coming from Enniskerry blocking the road. http://t.co/nqdTLmlPQj
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) December 5, 2013
DONEGAL: There is a tree down at Bocan Chuch between Carndonagh and Glenealy. http://t.co/nqdTLmlPQj
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) December 5, 2013
DONEGAL: Grainne’s Gap is blocked by a fallen tree on the Buncrana/ Muff Rd (R239).theAA.ie/Roadwatch
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) December 5, 2013
LOUTH: Tree down on Termonfeckin/Callystown Rd (R166) at Barnhill Cross & on local Sandpit/Togher Rd at Garralagh. http://t.co/nqdTLmlPQj
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) December 5, 2013
Around 500 homes across the North are without power this morning after the storm caused disruption overnight.
Roads were also closed in parts of Co Down after trees came down as gusts of up to 70mph swept in from the Atlantic.
A number of ferry crossing were expected to be disrupted including the P&O Larne Cairnryan service, along with cancellations on the service between Ballycastle and Rathlin off Co Antrim.
Energy company NIE said at the height of the disruption to power supplies about 4,500 customers faced blackouts.
It warned of more disruption as the weather system moves across the country.
