Met Éireann has issued a status yellow rain warning for 20 counties across Ireland as heavy rainfall and scattered thunderstorms are forecast to hit the country throughout Thursday.
The national weather forecaster is warning of localised flooding and dangerous weather conditions that could cause lightning damage and create difficult travel conditions across much of the eastern half of the country.
All counties in Leinster, along with Tipperary and Waterford, are subject to the yellow warning until 2pm today. The remaining affected counties – Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo – will remain under the warning until 5pm.
The status yellow alert, the least severe of the three-tier warning system, indicates weather conditions that may cause some disruption to daily activities. Motorists are advised to exercise caution on the roads as visibility may be reduced and surface water could accumulate in low-lying areas.
Despite the heavy rainfall, humid conditions are expected to persist with temperatures ranging between 16 and 21 degrees Celsius throughout the day. The combination of warm temperatures and heavy rain creates ideal conditions for thunderstorm development.
Once the immediate storm threat passes this evening, tonight will remain mild but cloudy with scattered showers and patches of fog developing in some areas.
The weather outlook improves for Friday, with forecasters predicting a brighter day featuring a mix of sunshine and showers. However, some isolated thunderstorms remain possible in southwest regions. Temperatures will remain consistent at 17 to 21 degrees.
The public is advised to monitor weather updates throughout the day and take appropriate precautions when travelling, particularly during the peak warning periods when thunderstorm activity is expected to be most intense.