A windy day ahead with outbreaks of heavy rain for Co Kildare as Storm Hector forecast to bring 125kmh winds to coastal regions

By Kim O'Leary

It's set to be a cloudy, windy day ahead with outbreaks of rain for Co Kildare developing into the afternoon with Met Eireann forecasting heavy rain and gale-force winds to hit the West coast of the country as Storm Hector approaches with an Orange and Yellow weather warning in place for several counties.

Strong winds will begin throughout the day before the alert kicks in at 8pm tonight until 10am tomorrow morning, and a spokesperson for Met Eireann said: “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.”

Today will see rain first developing along the west coast before spreading across the country as winds gradually strengthen, with a Status Orange weather alert for high winds for Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Sligo, as well as a Status Yellow wind warning in place for Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Roscommon, Clare and Kerry with both weather warnings coming into effect at 9pm tonight.

https://twitter.com/MetEireann/status/1006804285286420481

The forecaster said: “Rain will develop along the west coast this morning and gradually spread to the rest of the country during the day, with the rain more persistent by evening. Becoming windy and gusty through the day as south to southwest winds gradually strengthen. Highs of 16 to 18C. Wet and windy this evening and early tonight. The winds will become very strong later in the night as they change direction to westerly with the rain turning more to showers. Lows of 8 to 10C.”

The gusty conditions will continue into Thursday before the weather warning lifts at 10am

Meanwhile, for Kildare today, it will be dry for much of the morning and early afternoon but with cloud thickening. Outbreaks of rain developing in the afternoon and evening and gradually becoming more persistent. Southerly winds gradually freshening, becoming windy by evening. Highs of 17 or 18 degrees.

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.