LAST UPDATE | 8 Jun 2018

MET ÉIREANN HAS issued a Status Orange thunder warning for 15 counties, mostly in the west and midlands.

The warning kicked in at noon and will be in place until 11pm today in the following counties: Connacht, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.

Met Eireann Met Eireann

Met Éireann has also issued a Status Yellow thunder warning for most other counties – Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Wicklow, Donegal, Cork and Kerry – which is also in place until 11pm.

It forecasts widespread thunderstorms and frequent lightning this evening, with potentially large amounts of rainfall in a short period of time and some spot flooding.

Driving advice

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has advised all road users to take extra care due to the adverse weather.

The RSA has issued the following advice:

• It takes longer to stop a vehicle on wet roads so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front, four seconds at a minimum
• Take special care when driving behind trucks or buses as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility
• Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists
• Use dipped headlights at all times, not parking/side lights or fog lights
• Be mindful of aquaplaning on roads where 100/120kmh speeds apply – this occurs where the tyre tread fills with water and the driver is at risk of losing control of the vehicle
• Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are advised to wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt
• Pedestrians should walk on a footpath, not on the street – they should walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths
• Allow extra space between you and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists
• Monitor radio weather broadcasts while travelling

The RSA also has the following advice for driving in flooded conditions:

• If the road ahead is flooded choose another route, do not attempt to drive through it, flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think
• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes
• Sometimes roads can be closed after wet weather or because they are blocked by flooding
• Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic
• Watch out for washed-out roads, earth slides, broken water or sewer mains, loose or downed electrical wires, and fallen or falling objects

Forecast

In terms of the general forecast, rain showers are expected to die out tonight and most areas will dry off, with clear spells. Misty and foggy conditions are to develop inland.

Again, tomorrow will be warm with hazy sunshine, however, scattered heavy and thundery showers will develop inland during the afternoon and evening, with a risk of spot flooding.

Highest temperatures will range between 19 to 23 degrees.

Conditions on Sunday are forecast to remain relatively the same as today and tomorrow, with a mix of sunny spells and thundery showers throughout the day.

It will be warmest in Leinster and Munster, with maximum temperatures of 17 to 22 degrees.

Met Éireann says Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry, with sunny spells and a few scattered showers. Monday will still be quite warm in the southern half of the country, with maximum temperatures of around 20 degrees, but dropping to as low as 16 degrees further north.

With reporting by Órla Ryan