The warning is in place until 8pm on Sunday evening

16:45, 15 Mar 2026Updated 20:17, 15 Mar 2026

People walking in high winds at Salthill, Galway(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

A Status Yellow weather warning is in place for four counties until Sunday evening.

Met Éireann issued the Status Yellow – Wind warning for Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo on Sunday afternoon. The warning is in place now and will remain in effect until 8pm on Sunday.

Issuing the alert, forecasters warned there would be strong and gusty westerly winds, especially near coasts with difficult travelling conditions, debris, loose objects displaced and wave overtopping possible in these areas.

Meanwhile, a weather expert has said ‘Spring is set to arrive’ next week as the freezing temperatures and heavy showers Ireland has faced this week will be replaced by a glorious warm and sunny spell.

The weather is set for a dramatic U-turn next week as a band of high pressure will see temperatures rise to a balmy 16C, while it will remain settled and dry across the country, leading to plenty of bright and sunny weather.

According to Cathal Nolan, climate scientist and founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel, the glorious sunny spell will begin on Wednesday.

Donegal is expected to be battered by strong winds

Unfortunately, the glorious spell will begin just after St Patrick’s Day, with persistent rain expected for most counties through the morning and afternoon on Tuesday.

In a video message shared with his followers, Cathal said: “As we go into Monday, we see a warm front pushing up from the southwest, bringing with it a little bit of mist and drizzle in parts of the western and northwest in particular, the best of the drier weather to the east and south.

“For St Patrick’s Day, the early outlook at the moment is for a little bit of a mix as well. Drier, brighter conditions in the Midlands and the northeast and east of the country and some areas holding dry elsewhere.

“We will see some outbreaks of light rain or mist, especially so in the west and Northwest and over Hills and coasts in the South and South East, so a little bit of a mixed bag.

“The good news from then [is] on Wednesday, March 18, it looks like we’ll see major Improvement as high pressure becomes more of a feature in our weather. In fact, in some cases, it becomes the dominant feature for quite some time.”

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