Just days after saying goodbye to an Indian summer, Ireland is bracing itself for winter storms with the West and Southwest set to bear the brunt of the bad weather.

Heavy flooding is expected along the West coast with police warning motorists to prepare for dangerous driving conditions in many parts of the country.

Emergency services have been put on storm and flood alert after Ireland’s weather service, Met Eireann, issued a severe warning for the next 48 hours.

--------------------

READ MORE:

More news Ireland's weather from IrishCentral

Guinness world leprechaun record is broken in Dublin

Epitaphs of wisdom and wit found on Irish tombstones

--------------------

Forecasters say up to 80mm of rain will fall between Thursday and Saturday, causing local flooding in many areas.

They fear a repeat of the treacherous conditions last month when lives were lost in the Dublin floods at the height of the storm.

West Munster and Connacht will be at the centre of the storm this time according to the forecasters but they do warn that heavy winds and strong rain will be experienced in all parts of the country.