The warnings come into effect at slightly different times but all schools will shut across the country on Friday for the duration of the red alerts

Ireland is braced for Storm Eowyn bringing 'danger to life' conditions, with Status Red warnings now issued for 22 counties. It comes as an update has been issued on school closures.

Met Éireann has now issued a weather advisory for all of Ireland ahead of Storm Éowyn and said that weather warnings will follow as this event comes within the range of its high-resolution model (two days ahead), which will provide more detailed information.

Weather expert Mark Bowe has highlighted the "extremely rare" nature of a nationwide Status Red alert from Met Eireann. The National Emergency Co-ordination Group is urging everyone to hunker down at home, schools to shut their doors, and workers to avoid commuting until the storm blows over, likely by Friday evening.

Met Éireann has issued red wind and rain warnings for all but four counties, with the storm set to hit the country in the early hours of Friday.

The national forecaster said this morning that the storm poses a potential 'danger to life' in the Status Red counties

The Met Office has extended a series of yellow weather alerts between today and Saturday, while four Irish counties face red status wind warnings. A series of yellow fog alerts have been issued across the UK today,