A national weather alert remains in place until tomorrow morning for the west, the northwest and south of the country.

Met Eireann is warning that heavy showers or prolonged spells of rain will bring rainfall totals of up to 60 mm in places, with mountainous areas worst affected.

The "status yellow" alert affects counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork and Kerry.

And southerly winds will reach gale force today, and will reach strong gale force on west coasts from late afternoon onwards.

Met Eireann is forecasting that blustery showers will continue tonight, and they will be heavy in the west and northwest. Further to the east there will be good clear spells as well. It will continue rather windy with fresh to strong southwest winds, reaching gale force on exposed coasts in the west and northwest. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees.