Met Éireann has issued a series of marine warnings as strong winds are expected to affect all Irish coastal waters and the Irish Sea this weekend.

A Status Yellow gale warning is in place for all coasts of Ireland and the Irish Sea from 11pm on Saturday night until midday on Sunday. South to southwest winds, later backing southeast to south, are forecast to reach gale force 8 and at times strong gale force 9.

A small craft warning has also been issued for all coasts. From midnight on Sunday until midnight on Monday, southwesterly winds will reach force 6 or higher, creating hazardous conditions for smaller vessels.

In addition, a separate Status Yellow gale warning has been issued for the stretch from Rossan Point to Belfast Lough to Carnsore Point and on the Irish Sea. Southerly winds in these areas are expected to reach gale force 8 at times between midday and 4pm on Sunday.

The warnings come as low pressure continues to dominate the weather pattern over Ireland, bringing unsettled conditions and strong winds through the weekend.