Met Eireann tells us to expect heavy downpours and thunder as they issue an ‘orange’ alert

If you're heading out tonight or travelling home for Christmas, be careful out there as the conditions look like they won't be improving

It's been a rough few days on the weather front, with temperatures dropping and high winds battering the country, and it doesn't look to show any signs of improving tonight, as Met Eireann have issued an orange alert, and stated that we could see thunderstorms and heavy downpours. The Gardaí have also been urging motorists and road users to be careful given the adverse conditions, on a weekend where there will certainly be a lot of people travelling.

Asst. Commissioner John Twomey requests road users to be extra careful and vigilant while travelling due to the severe weather conditions.

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) 21 dezembro 2013

There has been a warning issued also for gales along coastal areas, in particular Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry and Waterford which could see the worst of it. Irish Ferries have also canceled their Swift service as a result of the weather. A thunder storm earlier this morning already caused power cuts and disruption to thousands of homes so far, and according to The Irish Mirror, nearly 7,000 homes have been affected, although the ESB are working to rectify the issue.