Storm Hannah: Met Éireann issues Status Orange weather alert with severe gusts and thunderstorms to hit Ireland this weekend
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Storm Hannah: Met Éireann issues Status Orange weather alert with severe gusts and thunderstorms to hit Ireland this weekend

MET Éireann has issued a Status Orange weather warning for four counties ahead of the arrival of Storm Hannah on Friday.

The forecaster is predicting gusts of up to 110-130km/h (68-80mph) to hit Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick on Friday evening bringing possible disruption and power outages.

The wind warning is in place from 4pm tomorrow until 5am on Saturday, while heavy rain is also expected in parts.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland programme, meteorologist Gerry Murphy said: "Later on Friday a depression which we've named Storm Hannah will move in from the west bringing stormy weather tomorrow evening and night – especially to counties Kerry, Clare and Cork," he said.

"It will also bring very windy weather to the rest of the country overnight tomorrow night as well.

"The strongest gusts will be in coastal areas, but as the depression continues to move through tomorrow night, those very strong northwest winds will extend to all areas".

Murphy added that the stormy conditions will clear by Saturday morning, while "for the weekend there will be some scattered showers on Saturday and a milder day on Sunday with some rain or drizzle."

Meanwhile, the UK Met Office has issued a Status Yellow warning for western areas of Britain valid from 9pm on Friday to 3pm on Saturday after Storm Hannah moves across the Irish Sea.