Updated 5.30pm

The location of Storm Dylan by 3am on Sunday. Purple and blue colours indicate the areas with the strongest winds. Source: Screenshot via Windy

ESB NETWORKS IS warning people to anticipate power outages in the west and northwest of the country tonight as Storm Dylan hits Ireland.

Met Éireann’s status orange weather warning remains in place for tonight as Storm Dylan skims the west coast of Ireland. Gale force winds with gusts of up to 125km p/h have been forecast in Connacht, Ulster and parts of North Leinster.

ESB networks said:

These winds may cause damage to electricity infrastructure and we can expect loss of electricity supply, particularly in coastal areas of Mayo, Sligo and Donegal. High winds are also forecast for the rest of the country.

ESB Networks crews in the Northwest are making the necessary preparations in advance of Storm Dylan tonight, with all internal resources on alert. We continually monitor the forecasts and real time events on the electricity network and will deploy our crews to restore supply. Crews from other areas of the country also stand ready to assist in any restoration effort if necessary.

The west and the northern half of the country will experience the strongest winds, but the rest of the county will also be affected.

The weather warnings will not kick in until 9pm tonight, and will then remain in place until 12pm on Sunday.

Winds across Ireland and the United Kingdom at midnight. Source: Screenshot via Netweather.TV

Storm Dylan will build in intensity, with the effects felt strongest from midnight, according to Met Éireann.

The counties where a status orange warning is in place are Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Longford, Louth, Westmeath, Meath, and Clare.

Forecast rainfall tonight at midnight, with Storm Dylan visible on the left off the coast. Source: Screenshot via Dark Sky

West to southwest winds in these areas could reach speeds of 65 to 80kmph, with potentially damaging gusts ranging from 110 to 125 km/h.

Met Éireann is also warning that high seas along the west coast bring a risk of coastal flooding into the mix.

A yellow warning is in place for Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Wicklow, Offaly, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford, and while conditions are not expected to be as severe as in other areas, wind speeds will still reach between 45 to 65km/h, gusting between 90 to 110 km/h.

The dangerous conditions will have started to ease by early afternoon tomorrow - Sunday evening is currently expected to be dry but cold and frosty.

ESB Networks is advising customers in Connacht, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Longford, Westmeath, Meath and Clare to be prepared to be without electricity if their area is hit badly by the storm.

It also advises:

Have plenty of food and water available

Have torches with spare batteries available

Make sure your phone is charged and, if possible, have a phone charger at hand for your car

Please check that elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours are prepared to be without electricity

If you have electric gates, please check you know how to work them manually

An important public safety message: If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1850 372 999.

Customers without power can check for updates on when their fault is expected to be repaired at www.esbpowercheck.ie or on the PowerCheck App for iPhone and Android devices.

It also said that if your fault is not logged you can report it here, or if you have no internet access you can call 1850 372 999. Customers are asked to have their MPRN available to access recorded information specific to their location.

ESB Networks will also be giving updates on Twitter.

ESB Networks is reminding customers of the precautionary measures to take in the event of a power cut:

Never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away – report damage to ESB Networks at 1850 372 999 and listen to recorded messages carefully

Turn off electric cookers, ovens, irons, etc. if electricity supply is lost

Leave a light switched on so you know when power has been restored

Take extra care if using candles, oil lamps or other naked flames

Test smoke alarms with fresh batteries

Ensure adequate ventilation if using gas heaters.

- Additional reporting Aoife Barry