BLUSTERY BLAST
Weather expert issues major storm update just days before Christmas as SIX counties issued wind warning amid snow risk
He pinpointed where in Ireland will be hit worst
A WEATHER expert has issued a major update on the chance of a named storm hitting Ireland this weekend.
Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather issued the update as strong winds and 'wintry showers' are set to batter Ireland in the days leading up to Christmas.
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A Status Yellow wind warning has been issued for Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal from 3am Saturday until 6pm on Sunday.
Met Eireann have warned of "sustained strong and gusty westerly winds veering northwesterly coupled with large coastal waves."
And those with travel plans ahead of the Christmas should give themselves plenty of time with the risk of fallen trees and difficult travelling conditions coupled with the wind warning.
And up north Antrim, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry are under their own yellow wind warning from 7am Saturday until just before midnight.
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Despite the wet and windy weather there is some good news ahead of Christmas as the weather expert reveals it is unlikely to be a named storm.
Posting on social media he explained: "Thursday evening update ahead of a wet Friday morning and then a very windy weekend with even some wintry showers.
"Few people asking about a named storm this weekend, not likely to be named by Met Eireann but the UK Met Office could name it yet."
Explaining further Alan said: "It's going to be very windy. So, wind increasing on Friday and very windy on Saturday and Sunday.
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"The strongest of the winds will be in the north and the west and the strongest of the winds will thankfully stay north of Ireland."
And reiterating he added: "Some people asking 'will it be a named storm' not likely for Ireland anyway but the UK Met Office could name it for Scotland but unlikely at the moment. Strong winds here in Ireland but not too severe thankfully."
Met Eireann confirm 'unsettled' weather with outbreaks of rain and sunshine before 'warmer' turn ahead Christmas Day
And the Carlow Weather front-man also issued a snow update ahead of Christmas Day on Wednesday.
Alan said: "Rain will move in from the northwest Friday morning crossing the country earlier than had been shown.
"So it will clear southeast by around lunchtime with sunny spells following.
"Turning breezy then some showers Friday night as well but showery over Saturday and Sunday.
"And some of those showers Saturday night could be wintry especially in high ground where there could even be some hill snow."
Temperatures during the day tomorrow will set between 8C and 11C before dropping slightly to between 4C and 8C overnight.
And Saturday will be chiller with highs of 6C to 10C during the day dropping to 2C overnight with similar on Sunday.
CHRISTMAS DAY UPDATE
Tonight is set to be a cold one with frost developing before rain reappears.
Met Eireann's Brandon Creagh said: "Tonight is cold with frost possible in the east but turning cloudier from the west tonight with few showers turning to light rain.
"Staying mostly further east with temperatures generally ranging between 1C and 5C."
However, that frost promised for tonight looks set to clear before the big day next week.
In a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day update Met Eireann said: "Current indications suggest that it'll be mostly cloudy with some light rain and drizzle.
"The rain likely to be most frequent in parts of the west and northwest of the country, with the driest conditions further east. Temperatures look set to range around 10C to 13C for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day along with moderate southwest winds.
"It will remain mild overnight midweek also with no frost expected."
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