Thunderstorm and lightning warnings issued for five counties

Ellen O'Donoghue

Status yellow thunderstorm warnings have been issued for five counties.

Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford and Wexford are all under the warnings until 7pm this evening.

The warning has been upgraded from yellow to orange in Cork until 4pm.

The warnings warn of widespread thunderstorms moving up from the south and bring a potential for severe lightning and hail damage, slippery roads, impaired visibility and spot flooding.

It comes as Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois and Offaly are under a status yellow high temperature warning until 6pm.

Issues that may present during that warning include water safety issues due to increased use of lakes and beaches, the possibility of forest fires, uncomfortable sleeping conditions, and heat stress.

The thunderstorm warnings bring an end to a record-breaking hot spell across the country over the last few days.

Over the next 24 hours, airflow is to change gradually, and towards the end of the week, there will be a drop in temperature, with levels dropping to normal May levels for

Over the next 24 hours, the airflow is to change gradually, and our weather will once again come more from the west as we go towards the end of the week, and that will mean that there will be a drop in temperature, dropping to normal May levels for the bank holiday weekend of high teens and low 20s.

Met Éireann has forecast top temperatures on Wednesday of 22 to 31 degrees, hottest in the Midwest and West, though a little cooler for eastern coasts.

Scattered thunderstorms and locally gusty winds are forecast to move up from the south this evening.

While many areas are to escape these, Met Éireann said that where they do hit there could be severe lightning and hail, with the midwest and south most at threat.

Localised thunderstorms will continue for a time early on Wednesday night. Otherwise, it is to be mostly dry with clear spells early on.

Low cloud, mist and drizzle, along with some fog are to develop across the southern half of the country by morning, though. It is expected to be mild, with temperatures falling no lower than 11 to 16 degrees, in mostly light east to southeast breezes.

On Thursday, some sunny spells are expected in the north and east, where it will remain largely dry and still very warm. It is expected to be somewhat cooler and duller in other areas though, with patchy drizzle and mist.

Highest temperatures of 17 to 25 degrees are forecast, in light to moderate south to southwest breezes, fresher along Atlantic coasts.

For the long weekend, it is expected to turn cooler and further unsettled.