A status yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois and Offaly, bringing an end to the recent spell of clear blue skies and sunshine across Ireland.
The alert, which came into effect shortly after 1pm Monday, warns of scattered thunderstorms with potential lightning strikes and spot flooding until 8pm this evening. This marks the beginning of a changing weather pattern that will see conditions become increasingly unsettled as the week progresses.
Monday started mostly sunny for much of the country, with isolated showers near the east coast developing into heavier downpours across central and southern regions by afternoon. Temperatures reached highs of 22C before dropping significantly overnight to between 3C and 8C.
Tuesday will bring a mix of variable cloud and sunshine, though heavy showers with potential spot flooding and isolated thunderstorms will develop throughout the day. Cloud cover will increase from the southwest during the afternoon, bringing patchy rain and drizzle to Munster by evening, with temperatures ranging from 16C to 20C.
The midweek period offers a brief return to more settled conditions, with Wednesday forecast to be dry and mostly sunny following the clearance of any residual cloud and drizzle in the south. Temperatures could reach 22C in most areas, though north Ulster will experience cooler conditions between 14C and 16C.
Thursday will maintain the largely dry pattern with only occasional light showers possible, though northerly winds will bring fresher conditions to parts of Ulster, Connacht and the Leinster coast.
The outlook becomes more uncertain approaching the weekend, with Friday starting dry in the east before cloud increases later in the day. Western areas will experience mostly cloudy conditions with potential rain moving in from the Atlantic. By the weekend, Met Éireann predicts “mixed and changeable” conditions with rain or showers interspersed with brighter periods, and temperatures returning to seasonal averages.