ALERT: Weather expert warns brewing storms set to hit this week may cause power disruptions

Leading weather expert Cathal Nolan has warned that the country will be hit with 'gale force winds' later this week with 'two very windy episodes.'

The first windy episode is due to take place on Thursday night into Friday morning as a deepening secondary low will pass over Ireland, bringing with it strong gusts in coastal areas of the west, south and east.

The forecaster has said that the high winds which could reach up to 100km/h may cause disruptions to services in some areas. 

However, the more severe stormy conditions are set to hit at the weekend as an Atlantic storm passes closely by the northwest coast.

READ NEXT: RTÉ's Home of the Year to return to our screens this week with a surprise in store

Nolan said the storm depression will see wind speeds across the west and northwest of the country reach up to 100km/h, with localised gusts near 120km/h in exposed areas.

He said that local disruptions to power and transport services are likely to occur due to the storm, however he assured that these disruptions won't be comparable to those caused by Storm Éowyn. 

The forecaster added that it is possible that Sunday's storm could be named as we approach the weekend.