STORM ELLEN: Severe gusts expected in Midlands tonight

An unseasonal storm which, according to one forecaster, could be one of the economically costly weather events in Ireland for some time, will reach here later tonight (Wednesday).

While Cork looks set to take the heaviest hit from Storm Ellen, weather warnings have been issued for all areas of the country.

In the Midlands, counties Westmeath, Roscommon and Offaly have been issued with a yellow-level wind warning from 9pm, and this will remain in effect until 8am tomorrow.

Met Eireann said "severe gusts" are likely in the Midlands tonight, along with heavy rainfall.

The highest-level warning - status red - is in effect for Cork tonight, while a status orange warning has been issued for the remainder of Munster, as well as Galway and Mayo.

Forecaster Cathal Nolan warned that this storm has the potential to be very serious due to its intensity and the time of year in which it's impacting Ireland.

"Please take note of the weather warnings and don't venture out during the peak time of the storm which is expected to commence across the south shortly after 10-11pm and conclude between 7-8 am tomorrow morning," Cathal wrote on his 'Ireland's Weather Channel' Facebook page.

"This storm has the potential to be one of the most economically costly storms ever to strike Ireland and socially we must be responsible and not our lives or the lives of emergency service personal at risk."