Met Eireann has issued a major Status Yellow weather warning affecting a staggering number of counties.
The ‘double’ alert for both thunderstorms and rain began at noon and lasts until 11pm tonight.
Those in the affected areas are being warned to prepare for thunderstorms with frequent lightning, torrential downpours, strong winds and even the chance of hail.
Among the concerns is the risk of flooding due to heavy rainfall. Additionally, strong winds may lead to tree branches breaking, loose objects being blown around and potential damage to structures so motorists are being advised to exercise caution when travelling in the affected areas.
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Most of the country is in the firing line, with just six counties left out of the warning.
The counties affected are: Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.
The alert reads: “Thunderstorms bringing frequent lightning, heavy downpours, gusty winds, and a chance of hail. Possible impacts: Localised flooding, Difficult travelling conditions.”
It comes as Ireland’s ‘mini-heatwave’ continues with sweltering temperatures. While it is forecast to be “slightly cooler” over the coming days, temperatures will still remain in the high teens to low 20s.
Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect, Met Eireann’s forecast reads: “Cloudy with scattered showers Saturday, some heavy and thundery. Some dry intervals across the country early afternoon, with more heavy and thundery showers developing later on across much of the country with hail and spot flooding possible. Highs of 18 to 22 degrees in moderate southerly winds.
“Scattered showers Saturday night will continue across much of the northern half of the country, continuing to turn heavy and thundery with hail and spot flooding possible. The showers will gradually die out late in the night with mist and fog patches developing. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees with light winds
“Generally cloudy Sunday with showers to begin on Sunday. Some of the showers will turn heavy and possibly thundery during the afternoon and evening with spot flooding a risk.
“Showers will gradually clear during the night Sunday leaving mostly clear spells and dry weather. A few showers will linger in the northwest however. Mild overnight with lows of 12 to 15 degrees and light to moderate southerly winds.
“Widespread showers developing across the country by Monday morning and becoming persistent and possibly heavy at times in the afternoon and evening. Isolated thunderstorms possible also which may cause spot flooding. Highest temperatures of 17 to 22 degrees with a light to moderate southerly breeze.
“Showers will begin to die out early in the night Monday from the north and across the midlands, but will linger around coastal fringes in the south and west. Staying mild overnight with lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees with light and variable breezes.
“Staying rather unsettled Tuesday with showers around coastal counties, slowly spreading throughout the country during the afternoon and evening. A little cooler than recent days with highs of 18 to 21 degrees. Light to moderate southerly breezes, fresh at times in the south.
“The showers will slowly become more isolated as Tuesday evening goes on before clear spells develop across the midlands and north. A few showers lingering around the coasts however. Lowest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees.
“It looks to remain unsettled Wednesday with low pressure continuing to dominate the weather on Wednesday. Cloudy with showers, some heavy and possibly thundery during the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will reach around 18 to 22 degrees with light westerly breezes.”
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