Power cuts, felled trees, and travel disruption possible when Storm Ellen makes landfall tonight

A Status Yellow wind warning will take effect in Ulster from 8 p.m.

A more severe Status Orange wind warning for the western and southern counties of Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford will become active from 9 p.m. on Wednesday but Met Éireann says this could be extended to other parts of the country.

In the south and west of the country due to the combination of heavy rain, the storm surge, spring tides and onshore winds there will be a potential risk of coastal flooding.

In Derry the warning at present is for strong winds.

The Met Éireann and the Met Office are warning people to expect strong winds.

The Met Office says some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely, bus and train services could be affected, with some journeys taking longer, and that there could be delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges, such as the Foyle Bridge.

Power cuts are possible, some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities could be affected by spray and/or large waves, and there could be some damage to trees with debris on roads given the time of year.

Marine warnings are also in place off the western and northern coasts of Derry and Donegal.

There's a warning for small craft with southeasterly winds expected to increase to force 6 or 7 from Bloody Foreland to Fair Head to Carlingford Lough this evening and tonight.

Off the southern and western coasts of the country a Status Red gale warning is in place.

Gale to storm force winds, southeast veering southwest, are expected this evening and tonight on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea with winds reaching violent storm force 11 for a time on coasts from Carnsore point in Wexford to Slyne Head in Connemara.

Evelyn Cusack, Head of forecasting at Met Éireann said: "Ellen is forecast to move over the southwest of Ireland Wednesday evening, tracking northwards over the country during Wednesday night and daytime Thursday.

"Gusts generally of 80 to 100km/h can be expected and potentially gusts may exceed 130km/h in some exposed coastal and mountain locations and some lower locations due to funnelling effects.

"There is still a high degree of uncertainty in the exact track of the storm and there is a considerable spread in possibilities over Ireland with some models indicating that the east may get the strongest winds."

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert said: “Along with the sometimes heavy rain, strong winds have the potential to cause impacts that are not common in August.

"With this spell of unsettled weather coinciding with trees in full leaf and a peak in the camping season, wind-related impacts are more likely at lower wind speeds compared to other times of the year, particularly across Northern Ireland where winds are forecast to be strongest.”

Ms. Cusack echoed this, stating: "With trees in full leaf and peak numbers on holidays in Ireland, impacts could be significant with damaging winds, heavy rain, and large waves along the coast. Strong winds overland, high, potentially dangerous, waves can occur on lakes as well as along coasts and over high ground."

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “This spell of autumnal-feeling weather is going to make driving conditions very unpleasant for a lot of us over the next few days.

"Strong winds will mean journeys by road will take longer than usual, and could be affected by fallen branches on the roads. Add in some very intense rainfall and drivers will need to take real care to complete their trips safely.

“We urge every driver heading out to make sure their car is up to the task to avoid a breakdown in the wind and rain, especially if they’re towing or taking a longer trip – in particular check the condition and pressure of all tyres before setting out.

"When driving, slow down and pay close attention to high-sided vehicles and other drivers with caravans and trailers to give yourself plenty of time to react should any run into difficulties.”