Storm Austen warning: status yellow rain alert for whole country

Flooding and gale force winds expected

The warning runs from 7pm on Thursday to 8am on Friday 23 October.

Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, will track just south of Ireland overnight.

The east of the country overnight was soaked by heavy rain. It had cleared from most areas by late Wednesday morning, except in east Ulster.

Thursday will start dry, with sunny spells, before turning wet, windy and stormy after dark.

What the Storm Austen warning means for worst-hit counties

On Thursday night, widespread heavy rain is forecast nationwide, while isolated thunderstorms are possible.

According to Met Éireann, flooding is expected across southern and eastern counties.

This is due to cyclonic winds strengthening toward gale force.

When it comes to temperatures, lower temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees are expected overnight.

Some readers are asking whether it's cheaper to leave the heater on low all day, now with colder nights ahead.

What Met Éireann has said about the storm's path

Aoife Kealy, Met Éireann's deputy head of forecasts, said: "It's getting help basically from a strong jet stream. So it's deepening as it approaches western Europe and the UK."

She added that "as it passes to the south of us, it's going to bring that strong or heavy rain and potentially some strong winds"

Kealy revealed that it is the UK that will feel the strongest conditions.

When is the status yellow warning in place?

The nationwide status yellow rain warning runs from 7pm on Thursday 22 October until 8am on Friday 23 October. Met Éireann has confirmed the timing.

Where will Storm Austen hit hardest?

Met Éireann expects flooding in southern and eastern counties. The strongest winds are likely in the south, as the storm passes just off the coast.