Storm Debi is to make landfall overnight
All schools and pre-schools in 19 counties affected by the Status Red and Orange warnings will be asked to remain closed until 10am tomorrow morning, according to Keith Leonard, National Director of Fire and Emergency Management.
Kildare, Carlow, Wicklow, Meath and a number of other counties are under a Status Orange warning from 2am to 10am.
Mr Leonard briefed the media this evening at a last-minute meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group as Storm Debi approaches the country.
It is up to school management if they should close for the full day.
Met Éireann has issued two Status Red wind warnings for five counties for a period of time overnight.
A red wind warning for Clare, East Galway and South Roscommon will be in place from 3am until 5am while a separate red wind warning for Offaly and Westmeath will be in place from 5am to 7am.
Met Éireann said that there will be extreme winds during this period "with potential danger to life".
Structural damage is expected, along with falling trees and significant power outages.