Just as Ireland is recovering from one of the worst storms to hit the country in 15 years another storm is due to hit.

Although Met Eireann is poised to issue an amber or possibly an orange severe weather alert as it tracks the latest storm's progress, forecaster Vincent O'Shea said the winds will not be as strong as they were last Thursday.

“The worst is behind us and while the winds are easing, it will still be very blustery today,” O’Shea told the Irish Examiner.

“We expect moderate westerly breezes throughout today and tomorrow. It will be pleasant and dry. But we are forecasting more strong winds and rain on Sunday night. It won’t be as bad as it has been but we’re not out of the woods yet.”

The west coast and Munster bore the brunt of the violent and sustained storm force winds, said O'Shea, with sustained gusts of up to 60 knots recorded at various weather stations around the country.

The highest wind gusts over land of 71 knots (135km/h) were recorded at Sherkin Island in West Cork and at Mace Head in Galway, with comparable gusts recorded in Mayo, reports the Irish Examiner.

The winds, which were not strong enough to be classes as hurricane force winds,  were officially classed at violent storm force 11.

Last week's storm was one of the strongest to hit Ireland since December 24, 1999 and caused extensive structural damage, travel disruption, and loss of electrical power in up to 70,000 households.