Ireland weather: Met Eireann issues out of the blue warning as experts predict major disruption

The recent spell of fine weather is set to come crashing to an end today after Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow warning for 10 counties, with thundery downpours and flooding expected.

The rain warning comes into effect at 2pm this afternoon and will remain in place until 2pm tomorrow, applying to all of Munster, along with Galway, Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny.

The downpours are expected to begin with showers in the south east around lunchtime, which will extend northeastwards across much of the country, with heavy rainfall to follow.

Rain will be most persistent in the west of the country tonight, and further downpours can be expected throughout Saturday. Sunday will see rain give way to sunny spells in many parts.

Next week is looking a little brighter, with dry spells and temperatures mostly remaining between 11 and 14 degrees.

Here’s the outlook for the coming days, courtesy of Met Éireann:

Friday

Largely dry this morning with some hazy sunny spells. Showers or longer spells of rain will develop in the southeast around lunchtime and will extend northwestwards to all areas through the afternoon and evening with a few heavy or thundery downpours possible.

Highest temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees with light to moderate east to southeast winds.

Tonight will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain, most persistent over the western half of the country. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees with mostly light southeast or variable breezes, but fresh to strong northerly winds will develop near west and southwest coasts overnight.

Saturday

Saturday will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain, possibly heavy at times. Highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees over the eastern half of the country, but only reaching 6 to 8 degrees further west.

Light to moderate north to northwest winds at first, but fresher winds in the west will extend to all areas through the day.

On Saturday night, there will be further showers or longer spells of rain on Saturday night but becoming lighter and patchier overnight and turning drier in the west Lowest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees in moderate to fresh northerly winds.

Sunday

Patchy rain and drizzle will gradually clear eastwards with drier, brighter weather following from the west and with sunny spells developing. Eastern areas will stay mostly cloudy for much of the day.

Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees with moderate to fresh northerly winds. Sunday night will be dry and cold with clear spells and mainly light northwest breezes. Lowest temperatures of between zero and plus 4 degrees.

Monday

Monday will be mainly dry with bright or sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees with light northerly breezes. On Monday night, light rain and drizzle will move in from the northwest and spread over much of the country by morning. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees with light breezes.

Tuesday

Tuesday will start off mostly cloudy with a little light rain or drizzle. It will gradually brighten up with some sunny intervals developing. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees with light to moderate northerly breezes. Tuesday night will be cold and dry with lowest temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees.

Wednesday

Wednesday and Thursday will be mainly dry, though there will be some patchy rain at times, mainly in the west. Day time temperatures will range from 11 to 14 degrees and the nights will be frost-free.

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