'Hail and heavy downpours': Thunderstorm warning in place for 13 counties 

The warning will remain in place until 8pm this evening. File picture. 

A status yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for 13 counties.

The warning, which came into effect at 1.46pm this afternoon, has been issued for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan and Tipperary.