Thunderstorms today as weather warning takes effect

Weather Alert

A Status Yellow thunderstorm and rain warning in now in place for Ulster, north Leinster, Connacht, and north Munster.

It was issued by Met Éireann yesterday and is vallid from 9am this morning (Friday), August 6 until 9am tomorrow morning (Saturday), August 7.

The national weather forecaster is warning that thunderstorm activity, with the risk of hail, will lead to localised flooding and hazardous driving conditions.

Thundery outbreaks of rain will occur today, bringing hazardous driving conditions and the ongoing risk of spot flooding. The best of the drier spells will be across the south and southeast early on. Highest temperatures will range 15 to 19 degrees Celsius, mildest away from Atlantic counties. Blustery across the southern half of Ireland, in a fresh westerly wind; elsewhere westerly breezes will be just light to moderate in strength.

TONIGHT

Outbreaks of thundery rain will persist overnight, heaviest and most frequent across Atlantic counties. Some drier spells too, especially across the midlands and east, but with possible mist. Relatively mild with lowest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees Celsius. Westerly winds be strong along Atlantic coasts, and somewhat lighter elsewhere.

TOMORROW - SATURDAY 7TH AUGUST

Blustery outbreaks of rain will occur on Saturday, merging into longer spells of rain in places, with further spot flooding, and possible thunderstorms. Some bright or sunny spells too, with driest conditions likely across southern counties. Highest temperatures will range 16 to 19 degrees Celsius, mildest across the northeast. West to northwest breezes wil be mostly moderate to fresh in strength.

NATIONAL OUTLOOK

OUTLOOK: Further heavy showers on Sunday with a changeable and unsettled picture following into the next week.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Scattered heavy blustery showers, merging into longer spells of thundery rain at times across the north and northwest. All the whiles driest in the southeast. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees Celsius, in a moderate to fresh westerly breeze.

SUNDAY: Showery conditions continuing, heaviest and most frequent over the northern half of the country with possible thunderstorm activity. Drier elsewhere with sunny spells and just well scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees Celsius, mildest in the southeast. Fresh westerly winds will moderate later.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Showers will become lighter and more scattered overnight with mist patches. Lowest temperatures 11 to 14 degrees Celsius, in light to moderate westerly breezes.

MONDAY: A day of sunny spells and scattered heavy showers; driest early in the morning and later in the evening. Milder than recent days with highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degree Celsius, in mostly moderate northwest breezes.

TUESDAY: Overall dry with sunny spells and just well scattered showers - most of these in the northwest. Mist and low cloud at times along southern coasts. Feeling rather warm with highest temperatures of 18 to 21 degrees Celsius, in a light southerly breeze.

WEDNESDAY: Overnight rain clearing to sunny spells and scattered showers, in moderate westerly breezes.