Ireland looks set to be battered with some horrid conditions over the weekend as warm sunny spells come to an abrupt end.
Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow Rain and Thunderstorm warning for Munster and Connacht as heavy showers or longer spells of rain with thundery downpours occur in some places and may lead to spot flooding, with the highest rainfall totals likely to be near the west coast on high ground.
The warning will remain in place from 6pm Friday until 6pm Saturday.
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A forecaster said: “Latest rainfall total forecast for next 36 hours shows over 30mm rain for many parts of the West with areas between Clifden and Belmullet possibly seeing close to 80mm and Achill Island up to 100mm!”
They added: “Rain pushing up across the country but bright spells and break in Cork at present with heaviest rain in West. Over 30mm of rainfall recorded already in Kerry but zero in parts of East. Temperatures ranging from 12c in West to 17c in East.”
Looking ahead to the beginning of next week, the forecaster said: “More rain expected Monday evening through to Tuesday. Those farmers in the East that may not see much over today and weekend should see some more then. Save the gardeners watering too.”
Met Eireann has said widespread showers are expected to develop this evening and will become heavy at times with possible spot flooding.
A brisk southeast wind will veer westerly and further strengthen along the west coast, turning noticeably cooler in the southwest through the late afternoon.
Overnight, the rain will continue in western parts, potentially turning heavy and thundery at times with a continued risk of spot flooding.
Further to the east, it will be clearer with isolated showers - lowest temperatures 7 to 10 degrees in moderate to fresh southerly winds, reaching gale force along the west coast.
Saturday will be an unseasonably cold, windy and wet day.
Rain will continue over the western half of the country and will become heavy at times.
Mostly dry further east to start, but rain will spread across the country later in the day - highest temperatures of 11 to 17 degrees, coolest in the west, in fresh to strong and gusty southerly or variable winds.
There will be further spells of rain and showers across the country during Saturday night - lowest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees with moderate to fresh southwesterly or variable winds.
A mix of sunny spells and widespread heavy and possibly thundery showers on Sunday.
Highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees in moderate to fresh southwesterly or variable winds.
Clear spells and some scattered showers will develop overnight.
Heaviest and most frequent in the west and northwest - lowest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees with light to moderate southwesterly breezes.
Staying unsettled with widespread showers on Monday, turning to heavier and more persistent rain will be seen in the western half of the country later in the day.
Highest temperatures of 13 to 17 degrees with moderate southerly winds.
A band of rain will spread across the country overnight, clearing to showers in the morning.
Persistent rain will clear away to the east early on Tuesday, leaving a mixed day for all areas with sunny spells and scattered showers - highest temperatures of 14 to 20 degrees, warmest in the east. Winds light to moderate, southerly or variable.
Conditions remaining unsettled through the week as low pressure continues to dominate.
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