Thunderstorm warning issued for nine counties

Michael Bolton

Met Éireann has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for all of Connacht and Donegal.

The warning begins at 3 pm on Thursday and lasts until 6pm on Friday.

There has also been an orange thunderstorm warning for Cork, Kerry, and Waterford. This warning begins at 4pm on Thursday until 7pm.

Met Éireann has warned of localised flooding, lightning damage, hail, hazardous driving conditions and gusty winds.

The Road Safety Authority has advised motorists to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between you and the vehicle in front, take alternative routes if roads are flooded, and drive with dipped headlights at all times.

The warning comes as Ireland is set to have its hottest day of the year on Thursday.

A status yellow high temperature warning has been in place since noon on Tuesday and was originally set to expire at 9am on Friday.

It has been extended until 9am on Saturday.

The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management have met with key stakeholders due to the weather warnings across the country.

Director Keith Leonard emphasised; “There are two separate weather-related risks that the public needs to consider over the next 48 hours: the dangers associated with extreme high temperatures and the increased risks associated with heavy thunderstorms.

“This risk exists for all of Ireland, but with a higher potential for impacting on the midlands, west and north west this evening and into Friday.

"The public is therefore encouraged to remain weather aware and be prepared to take action if conditions deteriorate in their area.”

Met Éireann said it will be hot and humid across the country.

The highest temperature recorded in Ireland was 33.3C at Kilkenny Caste on June 26th, 1887.

Thursday will be dry and sunny, but thunderstorms will develop mainly in the wet and North West.

Highest temperatures of 25 to 31 degrees, possibly higher in some places, with the hottest temperatures expected across the midlands and west.

Thursday night will be a mix of clear spells and showers, mainly in the west and northwest at first tonight, spreading elsewhere overnight. Some of the showers will be heavy and possibly thundery with a continuing chance of localised flooding and frequent lightning.

Warm and humid with lowest temperatures of just 17 to 20 degrees for most, but 13 to 16 degrees in parts of the west and northwest.

Friday will continue to be warm and humid, with the risk of thundery showers.

Highest temperatures of 23 to 29 degrees, warmest across the midlands, east and northeast, but a few degrees cooler in the northwest and near the south coast.

Saturday will see outbreaks of rain in the west will gradually spread eastwards over the country on Saturday.

There will still be some drier and brighter interludes, these probably at their best in the east and northeast during the morning. Highest temperatures of 17 to 23 degrees, warmest in the east and northeast.

Sunday will bring a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, he showers will be mainly in the west and north at first but they'll spread elsewhere in the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures ranging from 15 degrees in the west to 20 degrees.