Thunderstorm warning in place for nine counties with potential for hail

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow Thunderstorm warning for nine conties.

A thunderstorm warning is in place for nine counties - including two in Munster.

Met Éireann issued the status yellow alert shortly before 1pm on Friday, when the warning kicked in.

It is currently set to expire at 7pm and will affect Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Waterford, Wicklow, Tipperary and Wexford.

It reads: "Isolated thunderstorms with the chance of hail this afternoon and evening. Possible Impacts include hazardous travelling conditions, poor visiibility, spot Flooding and lightning damage."

In terms of the overall outlook, Friday evening will see cloud and outbreaks of rain developing over the east of the island.

Met Éireann say that heavy downpours are "likely in the northwest" with spot flooding also a danger.

Temperatures will drop to lows of six to nine degrees.

Saturday will be "mainly cloudy with outbreaks of rain moving southeastwards over the country at first."

However, Saturday afternoon is set to be somewhat pleasant with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers - but thundery downpours remain a possibility.

Temperatures will hit highs of 14 to 17 degrees.