A rare weather phenomenon known as ‘explosive cyclogenesis’, otherwise called a ‘weather bomb’, is expected to occur with the arrival of Storm Eowyn in Ireland late on Thursday night and into Friday morning.

Storm forecasters say "a strong event cannot be ruled out" in the UK - with an explosive cyclogenesis caused by a major drop in air pressure bringing the "risk of a few tornados".

Storm Éowyn has the "potential to be very destructive," Met Éireann said while issuing its Status Red weather warnings. Check here for the Status Red, Status Yellow, and Status Orange weather warnings coming into effect for Ireland this week.

Storm Eowyn will slam Ireland later this week, with a Status Red weather warning issued for the entire country. Track it's exact path and check how wet and windy it will get in your area.

Met Eireann will be monitoring Storm Éowyn closely as the fifth storm of the season makes its way to Ireland later this week, with damaging gusts and heavy rainfall on the cards

Storm Eowyn is potentially bringing historic gusts that could cause a threat to life as it hits Ireland on Friday

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 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,