Thunderstorm warnings for 14 counties as heatwave comes to an end

Mon, 14 Jul, 2025 - 11:30

Sally Gorman

Met Éireann has issued two warnings for thunderstorms and rain, bringing an end to a period of high temperatures and sunshine.

A status yellow rain and thunderstorm warning has been issued for Clare, Kerry, Limerick, and Galway and it will be in effect from 7pm on Monday until 7am on Tuesday.

The alert warns of heavy rain, lightning, and the potential for localised flooding and hazardous driving conditions.

Commuters are urged to exercise caution due to the risk of spot flooding, lightning strikes, and poor visibility on the roads.

A second warning, a status yellow thunderstorm alert, is currently in place for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath and Wicklow. The warning will lapse at 4pm on Monday with the forecaster warning of possible lightning damage.

It brings the recent heatwave to an abrupt end, with Met Éireann forecasting a "mixed and changeable" week that will feel "cooler and fresher" than in recent days.

Saturday marked the hottest day of the year so far, with a temperature of 31.1C recorded at Mount Dillon station in County Roscommon, while on Friday the mercury reached 29C in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

However, Monday will feel significantly cooler, and heavy showers are expected.

Later this afternoon, cloud cover will increase across the west and southwest, with "showers merging into longer spells of rain", including "embedded thunderstorms" by this evening.

Highest temperatures today will range from 15C to 21C, accompanied by "freshening southerly winds" that will be "gusty around downpours."

Monday night will bring further showers and longer spells of rain, some of which may turn "heavy and thundery," especially in western counties. Spot flooding and lightning damage are possible.

On Tuesday, the forecast is for "cloudy conditions with further thundery spells of rain and localised thunderstorms."

It will gradually brighten from the west during the morning with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers.

Highest temperatures will range from 16C to 20C.

Tuesday night will be mainly dry with clear spells, though cloud will thicken near the southwest coast, bringing outbreaks of rain by morning.

Areas of mist and fog are also expected to develop.

The weather is expected to turn slightly milder midweek.

Wednesday will bring highs of 17C to 21C, with any mist and fog clearing in the morning. It will be "bright for a time" in the north and east, with some "hazy sunshine."

Wednesday night will remain mild, with temperatures not falling below 13C to 17C.

Thursday will see a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, some of which could be heavy with a risk of isolated thunderstorms. Temperatures will range from 18C to 23C.

Current forecasts suggest that Friday will bring "some sunshine and scattered showers", with highs of 17C to 21C.

Looking ahead to the weekend, temperatures will be "around average", but the weather will remain "unsettled overall", with low pressure bringing further showers or longer spells of rain.

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