Met Eireann has suddenly raised its thunderstorm alert level to Status Orange.
The double alert for both thunderstorms and rain was initially classed as Status Yellow when issued this morning.
However, just after 1pm today, the national forecaster upgraded the warning to an Orange alert.
It is in place for five hours, up until 6pm, and affects the entire country.
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Met Eireann said: “Thunderstorms and very heavy showers producing significant rainfall accumulations over short time periods.”
It warned that these intense downpours raise concerns about flash flooding.
Motorists are likely to face challenging driving conditions, including reduced visibility due to heavy rain.
Additionally, there is a possibility of power outages as the storms pass through.
Ireland has been engulfed in warmer-than-average temperatures for much of June, but the wall-to-wall sunshine was replaced by thunderstorms in recent days.
Further thunderstorms are forecast throughout this week with conditions remaining unsettled.
Giving a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect, Met Eireann’s forecast reads:” A mix of cloud and sunny spells with showers becoming widespread and turning heavy through Tuesday morning. Thunderstorms will develop for the afternoon and evening bringing the possibility of hail and localised flooding. Highest temperatures of 18C to 22C in light south to southwest breezes.
“Tuesday night, the heavy showers and thunderstorms will ease, becoming mostly confined to northern and Atlantic coastal areas though isolated showers may continue further inland. Temperatures not falling below 10C to 14C in light southwesterly breezes with some mist or fog patches developing.
“A mix of cloud and sunny spells Wednesday with scattered showers developing in the morning. Some showers will turn heavy or possibly thundery during the afternoon and evening. A clearance to drier conditions with better sunshine will gradually build from the west through the day with the showers becoming mostly confined to southern and eastern counties. Highest temperatures of 18C to 22C in mostly light westerly winds.
“Any lingering heavy showers in the east will clear away quickly Wednesday night to leave a dry night for most with long clear spells though a few light showers may affect Atlantic coastal counties. Temperatures not falling below 8C to 13C in light variable breezes.
“Spells of sunshine and well scattered showers Thursday, not as heavy or as widespread as previous days with plenty of dry intervals in between. During the evening, cloud will build from the southwest with outbreaks of rain and drizzle following towards nightfall. Highest temperatures of 19C to 23C in light, occasionally moderate southerly or variable winds, freshening in the southwest and west towards nightfall.
“Very muggy Thursday night as outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, extend from the southwest through the night though parts of the northeast will stay dry till morning. Temperatures not falling below 13C to 16C in moderate, occasionally fresh, southerly winds.
“A wet day Friday with outbreaks of rain bringing some heavy falls and the chance of localised flooding. Highest temperatures of 19C to 23C with mostly moderate southerly winds.
“Some uncertainty in the details for the weekend but Saturday and Sunday will be generally unsettled with spells of rain and showers. Warmer on Saturday with temperatures getting up to the mid-twenties before returning to the high teens or low twenties for Sunday.”
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