ALERT: Met Éireann names Storm Kathleen with Status Orange warning issued

Met Éireann has named Storm Kathleen and issued a series of weather warnings, including a Status Orange wind warning for four counties. 

The storm, which is due to hit Ireland on Saturday, was named on Thursday morning as Met Éireann delivered its latest forecast, including Status Orange and Status Yellow weather warnings.

The major warning is a Status Orange wind warning for Cork, Kerry, Galway and Mayo. Met Éireann says: "Storm Kathleen will bring gale force southerly winds, with some severe and damaging gusts."

They list possible impacts as "very difficult travel conditions, fallen trees, some power outages, coastal flooding and wave overtopping."

The warning for those counties is valid from 7am to 5pm on Saturday.

A Status Yellow wind warning for the rest of Ireland on Saturday warns of "very strong and gusty southerly winds associated with Storm Kathleen."

Possible impacts include "some fallen trees, difficult travel conditions, debris, loose objects displaced and some coastal flooding."

This national warning is valid from 7am to 8pm on Saturday.

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel says "the storm is set to bring a spell of stormy weather across the country during Saturday morning, with winds up to 130km/h possible in coastal areas of the south and west."

"The storm is likely to develop rapidly during Friday, reaching a central pressure of 947hPa, which is deep at anytime of the year, but especially so for the middle of spring, with elevated sea levels likely as a result," he added.

"Our main concern, however, is of course the strength of the winds. Gusting up to 130km/h in exposed coastal areas, though up to 120km/h across the counties under an orange warning, getting up to 110km/h elsewhere.

"Some transport disruption is likely on Saturday morning, especially in the aforementioned counties likely to be under a status orange weather warning. Power disruption will also occur as fallen branches and trees are likely."

Met Éireann's general forecast for Saturday says: "Saturday morning will be very windy with strong, gusty southerly winds and widespread showers, some heavy. Winds will ease somewhat in the afternoon, but will continue fresh to strong and gusty. Highest temperatures of 13 to 15 degrees

"Saturday night will bring clear spells and scattered blustery showers. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 8 degrees with fresh, gusty southwest winds."