Met Eireann has an orange alert in place for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo and Clare until tomorrow morning.

Forecasters have warned of another night of heavy rain and thunderstorms after an overnight deluge unleashed flash floods across the country.

As the bank holiday kicks off today, Met Éireann has said that the weather will remain mild but it is next week when temperatures will peak.

Just when you though the worst was over, Met Éireann is warning of snow and sub-zero temperatures over the next few days with strong northeast winds causing blizzard conditions in some parts.

ESB Networks has said power has now been restored to most homes who were left without electricity following strong gale force winds overnight.

It may be the first day of May but anybody expecting summer weather should think again or book a last-minute holiday.

Up to 2in (5cm) of snow is forecast in parts this weekend as the cold snap makes a return.

COASTAL areas have been put on flood alert with high tides, gales and heavy rain forecast this weekend.

There were two tornadoes reported in Ireland yesterday — one in Meath and the other in Mitchelstown, Co Cork.

A DONEGAL postman renowned for accurately predicting the weather using ancient methods claimed the summer was about to make a comeback.