ALERT: Status yellow weather warning to come into effect for parts of the country

Expect strong and gusty southwest winds as Met Éireann's status yellow wind warning comes into effect today.

The warning was issued for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo as well as Antrim and Derry in Northern Ireland.

The warning is valid from 8am Wednesday 31st January to 1pm Wednesday 31st January.

Mostly dry at first with some bright spells developing and fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds. Turning cloudier as a band of rain moves into the northwest towards mid-morning, bringing stronger winds for a time in the northwest and west.

The rain will track southeastwards through the day, heavy at times, followed by drier, clearer and cold conditions as winds will generally ease westerly but will remain fresh in the north and northwest.

Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees.

Wednesday night will see the last of the rain clear southern areas, becoming dry with long clear spells and mostly light to moderate westerly breezes, fresher for a time in the north with the odd shower possible there.

Some mist and fog patches will form, particularly in the south.

Lowest temperatures of -2 to +4 degrees, coldest in Munster and south Leinster with frost and ice possible.