#StormEva - A Status Orange gale warning is in effect for all Irish coastal waters as the fifth winter storm of the season moves in from the Atlantic today (Wednesday 23 December).

Storm Eva will see south to southwest gales or strong gales develop this afternoon on all coastal waters and on the Irish Sea, with winds reaching storm force at times on coasts from Valentia to Erris Head to Malin Head, according to Met Éireann.

The western counties of Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Clare will be worst affected, with winds gusting upwards of 100kmh from 1pm till late tonight, and gusts as strong as 120kmh at times between 4pm and 9pm.

Winds will only be marginally less strong throughout the rest of Ireland's coastal counties.

Storm Eva comes nearly three weeks after Storm Desmond's heavy rains caused widespread flooding that is still affecting areas along the Shannon catchment from Athlone to Limerick, as RTÉ News reports.