ALERT: Met Éireann extends status orange weather warning as Storm Ashley approaches

Met Éireann has extended its status orange weather to three more counties as Storm Ashley bears down on Ireland.

In its latest update, issued this Saturday evening, the forecaster has added Kerry, Leitrim and Sligo to the list of counties which will be most-impacted by 'strong to gale force' winds on Sunday afternoon.

"Storm Ashley will bring very strong to gale force and gusty south to southwest winds, coupled with high spring tides," states the updated warning which will take effect from midday on Sunday and which remains valid until 8pm on Sunday.

The seven counties now included in the status orange warning are Clare, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo.

According to Met Éireann, potential impacts include coastal flooding, large coastal waves, loose objects displaced, fallen trees, very difficult travelling conditions, damage to power lines, power outages and damage to already weakened structures.

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Motorists are being urged to exercise caution if travelling in any of the seven counties on Sunday while The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management is advising members of the public to stay away from coastal areas throughout Sunday due to adverse weather conditions.

Separately, a number of status yellow warnings are due to come into effect at midnight tonight.

A wind warning for all of Ireland will remain valid until 3am on Monday while a status yellow rain warning for counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry and Waterford will remain valid until 9am on Sunday.