Heavy rain and gales hit Poolbeg Lighthouse in Dublin in 2017.RollingNews.ie

Ireland is coming under Status Red wind and storm warnings as Storm Éowyn, a "powerful winter storm," heads toward the country.

Storm Éowyn is a "nationwide multi-hazard event, with the potential to be very destructive," Met Éireann said on Wednesday as it issued Status Red weather warnings for the entire country.

Met Éireann notes that Status Red warnings are issued for "rare and very dangerous weather conditions from intense meteorological phenomena."

The level of winds that Storm Éowyn is forecast to bring "have the potential to pose a threat to life and property." As such, Met Éireann advises the public to "shelter in place" under any red warning, and "limit travel to essential only and shelter in place as much as possible" under any orange warning. 

Under Status Red weather warnings, people are further advised to "take action to protect yourself and your property," and "follow instructions and advice given by the authorities under all circumstances and be prepared for exceptional measures."

Met Éireann cautions that Ireland's electricity network is "expected to be severely impacted [and] the public are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication."

A Status Red wind warning was issued on Wednesday for Counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Waterford. This Status Red wind warning is valid from 2 am to 10 am on Friday.

A Status Red wind warning was issued on Wednesday afternoon for Co Clare and Co Galway. This Status Red wind warning is valid from 3 am to 12 pm on Friday.

A Status Red wind warning was issued on Wednesday for Counties Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo. This Status Red wind warning is valid from 4 am to 12 pm on Friday.

A Status Red wind warning was issued on Wednesday for Co Donegal. This Status Red wind warning is valid from 6 am to 3 pm on Friday.

A Status Red wind warning was issued on Wednesday for Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Roscommon, and Tipperary. This Status Red wind warning is valid from 6 am to 12 pm on Friday.

"Gale to storm force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and extremely destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h," Met Éireann said in its Status Red wind warnings ahead of Storm Éowyn.

Met Éireann also said on Wednesday that the impacts of the several Status Red wind warnings include danger to life, extremely dangerous traveling conditions, unsafe working conditions, disruption and cancellations to transport, many fallen trees, significant and widespread power outages, impacts to communications networks, cancellation of events, structural damage, wave overtopping, and coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas.

A Status Red storm warning was also issued on Wednesday for all coasts of Ireland and the Irish Sea. This Status Red storm warning is valid from 12 am on Friday until 6 pm on Friday.

"Southeast winds veering west will reach storm force 10 or violent storm force 11," Met Éireann said in this warning.

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A Status Orange wind warning was issued on Wednesday for all of Ireland. This Status Orange wind warning is valid from 2 am to 5 pm on Friday.

"Gale force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and destructive gusts of up to 130km/h widely, with even higher gusts for a time," Met Éireann said for this Status Orange warning.

Met Éireann said on Wednesday that the impacts of this Status Orange wind warning include fallen trees, damage to power lines and power outages, structural damage, very difficult traveling conditions, disruption and cancellations to transport, and wave overtopping.

Meanwhile, a Status Yellow rain warning was issued Wednesday for Counties Cork, Kerry, and Waterford. This Status Yellow rain warning is valid from 9 pm on Thursday to 3 am on Friday.

"Heavy rain leading to localized flooding," Met Éireann said in this rain warning.

Storm Éowyn in Northern Ireland

Met Éireann has also shared the weather warnings issued for Northern Ireland by the UK Met Office.

An Amber wind warning was issued on Wednesday for Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry. This Amber wind warning is valid from 6 am to 9 pm on Friday.

"Storm Éowyn is expected to bring very strong winds and widespread disruption on Friday," the UK Met Office said in this Amber wind warning.

A Yellow wind warning was issued on Wednesday for Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry. This Amber wind warning is valid from 12 am to 11:59pm on Friday.

"Storm Éowyn is expected to bring very strong winds and some disruption on Friday," the UK Met Office said in this Yellow wind warning.