Yellow warnings extended as heavy rain set to drench Ireland over Easter weekend

Difficult conditions for pedestrians in Cork City centre during the heavy rain and high winds on Sunday. Pic Larry Cummins

Nine counties have been issued a Status Yellow weather warning for Good Friday as miserable conditions are set to sweep across the island.

Three separate rain warnings are in place, the first of which comes into effect on Thursday evening.

That warning is for Cork and Kerry and was issued on Wednesday afternoon.

It says that spells of rain, which will be heavy at times, may lead to localised flooding.

It runs from 11pm on Thursday to midday on Friday.

However, two new warnings were issued on Thursday morning.

The first affects Galway and Mayo and takes effect from 6am on Friday until 9pm that evening.

It mirrors the warning for Cork and Kerry, with spells of rain, which will be heavy at times, potentially leading to localised flooding.

The final warning affects Dublin, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Louth, Wicklow and Waterford from 6am on Friday until 6am on Saturday, and again warns of heavy spells of rain and flood risks.

A woman making her way through the wind an rain along Sullivans Quay, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

Overall, Met Éireann says that Easter weekend will be unsettled with rain and showers.

The driest weather is expected later on Saturday and early on Easter Sunday.

As for Thursday, showers will become heavier and more frequent in the afternoon as they move northwards across the country. Rain will develop in the southwest by early evening. Highest temperatures of 9C to 13C.

Met Éireann adds that tonight will be wet and breezy, with showery rain moving northwards across the country.

The rain will be heavy at times and may cause localised flooding.

Lowest temperatures of 4C to 8C, with moderate to fresh east to southeast winds developing.