Six counties hit with 24 hour weather warning as 'significant' heavy showers expected

Met Éireann has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for six counties in Ireland as experts say "significant" heavy downpours are on the way.

The warnings are in place for Wednesday and Thursday for counties, Clare, Leitrim, Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, and Galway.

Significant rainfall accumulations from heavy showers and longer spells of rain are expected with possible isolated thunderstorms. Potential impacts include localised flooding, poor visibility, and difficulty travelling.

The warnings are in place from 6pm on Wednesday evening until 6pm on Thursday evening.

Today

Rain clearing to the northeast this morning. Sunshine and showers following from the west and extending to all areas this afternoon. Some will be heavy or prolonged further west with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. Highest temperatures of 16 to 21 degrees with mostly moderate to fresh southwest winds.

Tonight will bring further scattered heavy showers, again merging to longer spells of thundery rain across Atlantic counties with spot flooding. Drier and clearer further east though a few showers will arrive later on. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in mostly moderate southwest winds, stronger along Atlantic fringes.

Thursday

Low pressure will move in across the country, bringing blustery southwesterly winds and frequent showers, merging to longer spells of rain with local lightning and spot flooding, especially across northwest counties. Some sunny spells across southeast counties where it could stay dry. A little cooler too with highest temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees.

Friday

Another breezy day with brisk westerly winds. Sunny spells and passing heavy showers will occur, most frequent across the northern half of the country. Local lightning is possible for northern counties. Mild in any mid-afternoon sunshine with highest temperatures of 15 to 21 degrees, best values for southeast areas.

Many areas will be dry for Friday night with clear spells and passing coastal showers. Later in the night, rain will arrive into south and west areas. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in moderate southerly breezes.

The Weekend

Uncertainty to the exact detail but there is the potential for some significant rainfall and blustery winds, particularly during Saturday. Daytime maxima will generally range from the mid to high teens. Saturday night will bring minima of 10 to 13 degrees with clearer skies in turn on Sunday night.

Early next week

Remaining unsettled with further rain or showers.