Met Éireann issues status yellow thunderstorm and rain warning as heatwave breaks
Heavy rain has been forecast with a risk of spot flooding in parts of Leinster and Munster. Picture: Damian Coleman
A status yellow weather warning issued by Met Éireann might answer an earlier question: "Has the sun set already on Ireland's summer?"
The entire country is subject to a status yellow rain and thunderstorm warning from the forecaster.
The warning is in effect from 12pm this afternoon until 5am tomorrow morning.
Met Éireann is warning of heavy downpours that can lead to spot flooding and hazardous driving conditions.
The warning follows early morning mist before temperatures dropped down into the teens as a front from the west brought early morning showers.
The rains is moving eastward through the day and will eventually develop into heavy showers and thunderstorms.
Met Éireann Meteorologist Eimear Flood said Leinster and east Munster will see the most rainfall as the cold front arrives.
"As that moves over the country through the afternoon that's going to spark off a number of heavy showers and thunderstorms.
"These could pop up pretty much anywhere but the highest risk area is Leinster and east Munster.
"There is an advisory out for widespread heavy and possibly thundery showers because the localised thundery downpours could cause some traffic disruptions and quite poor driving conditions," she said.
The scorching heat has finally broken as temperatures have dropped from highs of 31°C last week to 18-21°C today with moderate northwest breezes.
Throughout the night there will be a continued risk of spot flooding but temperatures will stay around 11-14°C according to Met Éireann.
Overall the day will be fresh and showery as the cold front from the west spreads eastwards.
Rain is going to remain in most northern parts of the country but will be brighter elsewhere, Met Éireann has said.
Sunshine and widespread showers are expected on Wednesday with some heavy localised thunderstorms.
Showers will become confined to Atlantic coastal counties overnight with clear spells developing widely, said Met Éireann
Another fresh and showery day with "bright spells and showers, the showers heavy in places with a risk of lightning."
Maximum temperatures ranging 15-19°C, warmest in the southeast in moderate to fresh westerly winds.
Scattered showers will spread northwest across the country but some good sunny spells are expected.
Top temperatures of 16-20°C degrees forecast in fresh westerly winds.
Met Éireann has said early indications suggest next weekend will be "fresh and bright with a mix of sunshine and scattered showers" with temperatures close to average.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
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