Hazardous driving conditions likely as yellow thunderstorm warning issued for north Munster, Connacht, Ulster and north Leinster

In the North, the UK Met Office has also issued a yellow thunderstorm alert, warning that 'heavy slow-moving thunderstorms will give a risk of flooding and travel disruption.' File Picture: Damien Storan.

A status yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for Kerry, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and 19 other counties.

The warning came into effect at 9am this morning and will remain in place until 9am on Saturday morning.

During this time, Met Éireann is predicting thunderstorms and prolonged spells of rain with the potential for hail.

The forecaster is also warning of localised spot flooding in certain low-lying areas.

In the North, the UK Met Office has also issued a yellow thunderstorm alert, warning that "heavy slow-moving thunderstorms will give a risk of flooding and travel disruption.” 

Cork and most of the East and Southeast may escape the worst of the weather, with somewhat drier and brighter conditions likely in these regions.

A continued risk of thunderstorms & heavy spells of rain this afternoon, especially across northern & western areas, will cause surface water flooding leading to hazardous driving conditions⛈️🚗⚠️https://t.co/9gKN6SVok4 pic.twitter.com/1iE0yoB5fv

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) August 6, 2021

Prolonged rainfall

This latest warning comes on the back of two other yellow weather warnings issued in recent days.

Some weather stations have reported seeing close to one month’s worth of rainfall over a 24 hour period this week.

On Thursday, a weather station in Mullingar recorded 71mm - just 10mm lower than the 81mm average usually recorded over the entire month of August.

Hazardous driving conditions likely

Met Éireann, the AA and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are warning of hazardous driving conditions as a result of the expected downpours.

The AA is encouraging motorists to slow down and allow for extra room between cars in front, and to turn on dipped headlights to increase visibility, if necessary.

⚠ Yellow Warning
Regions: Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Kerry, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Westmeath and Connacht
Thunderstorms with the risk of hail, will lead to localised flooding and hazardous driving conditions.https://t.co/P2JxkYuH5U

— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) August 6, 2021

The RSA has said that driving through standing water should be avoided if possible, as pools of water on roads may appear shallower than they really are.

If driving through such areas cannot be avoided, motorists should drive at the centre of the road, which is usually its highest point. 

While doing so, a lower gear should be engaged and engine revs should be kept high.

Lastly, the RSA suggests that anyone who has driven through water should tap their car's brakes a couple of times afterward while driving slowly to dry them off properly.

• Any updates to the weather warning currently in place will be posted on Met Éireann's website.