Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to affect much of the western half of Ireland this weekend, with Met Éireann warning of flooding risks and difficult travel conditions.

A Status Yellow rain warning has been issued for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Donegal and all of Connacht. The warning is valid from 6pm on Saturday until midnight on Monday. Met Éireann said spells of heavy rain will fall on already saturated ground, increasing the risk of river and surface flooding. Poor visibility and hazardous driving conditions are also expected.

Marine warnings are in place for all coasts, with southwesterly winds forecast to reach force six or higher from midnight on Saturday until 6pm on Sunday. A separate gale warning has been issued for the stretch from Valentia to Erris Head to Fair Head, where south to southwest winds are expected to reach gale force eight or strong gale force nine between 4am and 9pm on Saturday.

Another gale warning applies from Fair Head to Carlingford Lough to Carnsore Point and across the Irish Sea. Southwest winds are forecast to reach gale force eight at times between midday on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday.

Met Éireann said the combination of heavy rain and strong winds will make conditions particularly challenging, especially in western counties and along exposed coasts.

Following recent spells of rain, soils are saturated or waterlogged across the country. Soil conditions will continue the same over the coming week.