Five counties hit with weather warnings as Met Éireann warns of heavy rain and flooding

Just a day after Storm Chandra wreaked havoc across Ireland, leaving homes and business without power and destroyed from flooding, Met Éireann has issued a further weather warning as more heavy rain and localised flooding is expected.

Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow have all been issued a status yellow rain warning that is due to come in from midnight on Thursday until midnight on Friday.

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Further heavy rain and showers falling on saturated ground, combined with high river levels, may cause the following:

• Localised flooding
• River flooding
• Difficult travel conditions

According to Carlow Weatherman Alan O'Reilly, heavier rain might fall on Friday in the southeast of the country adding to flood risks.

New yellow rainfall warnings have been issued for Thursday with more heavy rain but there is also a risk of even heavier rain on Friday in parts of Southeast and East. Given river levels and saturated ground there is a risk of flooding once again. Keep up to date with warnings. pic.twitter.com/dWIogFMFvo

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 28, 2026

Rain in the southwest is expected early tonight, with clear spells and isolated showers elsewhere. The rain will move northeast overnight and will become patchy, but Ulster will remain largely dry. Rain will be falling on saturated ground and may cause further localised flooding. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees with moderate to fresh east to southeast winds, becoming strong at times.

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Thursday

Scattered outbreaks of rain tomorrow morning, along with occasional sunny intervals. More persistent rain will move into the southwest later in the morning and will move northeast across the country through the rest of the day, turning heavy at times. Clear spells and scattered showers will follow in the southwest. With saturated ground conditions and high river levels, localised flooding is possible. It'll be breezy with a moderate to fresh and gusty east to southeast wind, increasing strong at times. Highest temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees.

Rain in Connacht, Ulster and Leinster early on Thursday night. The rain will gradually clear northeastwards overnight and will be followed from the southwest by clear spells and scattered showers, some of which will be heavy. With saturated ground conditions and high river levels, further localised flooding is possible. Blustery at first with moderate to fresh and gusty southeasterly winds, but winds will ease overnight. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees.

Friday

Low pressure is forecast to form near Ireland on Friday. There is some uncertainty in the details, but it's likely that a spell of rain will affect parts of the south and east. With saturated ground conditions and high river levels, further localised flooding is possible. Highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees with light to moderate east to southeast or variable winds.

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Saturday

Cloudy and damp with some patchy rain and drizzle over the northern half of the country. Dry elsewhere but remaining cloudy. A band of rain will move over from the southwest later in the day with fresh southwesterly winds following. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees.

Sunday

Current indications would suggest another cloudy and unsettled day with more persistent rain moving in from the south later in the day. Staying mild however.