Met Eireann has extended its Status Red weather warning to the entire country ahead of what is expected to be one of the most severe storms in living memory. Storm Eowyn is currently brewing in the Atlantic and is due to make landfall in Ireland on Thursday night.

A rare, red warning has also been issued by Ireland's weather service across all counties ahead of the arrival of Storm Eowyn, saying it will bring "severe, damaging and destructive gusts".

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

A map produced by Met Éireann to illustrate a weather warning as Storm Éowyn approaches has caused confusion after showing the Republic covered in red while the north remains amber. The map on the forecaster’s website shows areas set to be most affected by the storm with every county in the Republic lit up red.

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.

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

A NEW weather warning has been issued for Dorset as the county braces for Storm Eowyn. Winds could reach between 50 and 60mph, the Met Office has warned. The warning for strong winds will be in force from 7am until 6pm on Thursday,

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,