Orange Warning could be issued by Met Eireann as Storm Diana approaches

Met Eireann forecasters could issue an Orange Warning weather alert later due to Storm Diana hitting the country tonight and tomorrow.

Many parts of the country are already under a Yellow Warning while being lashed by strong winds and squally downpours which could lead to up to an inch of rainfall on surfaces.

Storm Diana will move quickly past Ireland in two waves, the first one later tonight and tomorrow morning and then at midday on Wednesday, according to Irish Weather Online.

Winds could increase to southerly 80 to 120 km/hr in exposed locations.

Severe and damaging gusts are possible.

About 10 mm of rain on average but potential for 20 mm in some parts of the southeast as a secondary wave forms to the west of Cornwall and moves through in the evening.

The outlook is for rain to continue over coming days - right up until Sunday night.