Winds of up to 150km per hour are expected in Ireland tonight as Storm Rachel hits our shores.
Met Éireann issued its most severe weather warning today for coastal and mountain areas of Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry.
A status orange warning is in place for the rest of the country, which is expected to be hit by winds with speeds of up to 130 km/h.
Rainfall of between 25 and 25mm is also due to fall between this evening and tomorrow.
The forecaster has said that the storm will be at its worst between 6am and 9am tomorrow morning and the Department Of Education has urged schools affected by the red alert to remain closed.
The public is also being warned to avoid walking around coastal areas and to refrain from contact with any electrical wires that fall during the storm.
