Met Éireann issues urgent weather warning as stormy conditions are on the way

A Status Yellow thunderstorm warning is in place

Parts of the country are set to be hit by lightning strikes this morning, with the national forecaster issuing a last-minute alert covering three hours and 15 minutes of potentially severe conditions across several counties.

In a last-minute update, the national forecaster said: "A brief period of heavy rain or showers, initially thundery in the west, will sweep eastwards over the country this morning and early afternoon. Otherwise, there'll be a mix of sunny spells and isolated showers.

"Cloud will thicken from the southwest later this afternoon with outbreaks of rain and drizzle developing in Munster and Connacht this evening. Highest temperatures of 9C to 12C in moderate to fresh, occasionally strong, west to southwest winds."

The Status Yellow thunderstorm warning was issued at 7.45 am and covers Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo until 11 am, where 'lightning damage' could occur.

The alert reads: "Status Yellow thunderstorm warning for Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo. Thundery downpours for a time. Potential impacts include spot flooding, lightning damage and difficult travelling conditions."

However, looking beyond this morning, Met Éireann has forecast rather mild weather for the weekend. Over the coming days, Ireland could see temperatures as high as 13 °C.

Giving a day-by-day breakdown, the national forecaster said: "A mild, breezy and rather wet daySaturday with further outbreaks of rain moving northeastwards across the country, turning heavy at times, particularly in the west and north. Highest temperatures of 10 °C to 13 °C with moderate to fresh southwest winds.

"Rain will clear southeastwards early on Saturday night. Cloud will linger in the south and east, with clear spells and isolated showers developing in the north and west. Remaining mild with lowest temperatures of 6C to 9C in moderate to fresh southwest winds.

"Bright and blustery Sunday with scattered showers, becoming heavier and more persistent for a time through the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 9C to 12C with moderate to fresh, occasionally strong, southwest winds.

"Remaining blustery Sunday night with clear spells and scattered showers, most frequent in the west and southwest. Lowest temperatures of 5C to 8C with fresh to strong west to southwest winds.

"A mostly dry and bright start to Monday. Cloud will thicken from the southwest early on with outbreaks of rain and drizzle spreading northeastwards through the day. Highest temperatures of 10C to 12C with moderate to fresh southwesterly winds.

"Likely a cloudy day Tuesday with further outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Staying mild with highest temperatures of 10C to 13C in moderate to fresh southerly winds.

"Current indications show a continuation of unsettled conditions with further spells of wet and blustery weather."