Thundery showers forecast for All-Ireland final as fans warned to prepare for wet weekend

Will the rain have a say in who lifts the Liam McCarthy Cup on Sunday? File picture

If you're heading to Croke Park this weekend for the All-Ireland hurling final, you'd better bring plenty of waterproof gear.

Contrary to the sweltering conditions experienced by the Kerry and Tyrone players during last weekend's football semi-final, Sunday is expected to bring thundery showers and long spells of rain to the 80,000 fans hoping to see Cork or Tipperary lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

According to Met Éireann, several areas, including Cork, Kerry, Galway, and Dublin, are expected to see these thundery conditions, as well as spot flooding, hail, and lightning.

Despite the unsettled weather, temperatures are expected to remain around 20C to 21C, with some warm sunny spells in places.

The forecaster says Saturday will be drier, with sunny intervals, although scattered showers will still occur.

Temperatures will range between 17C and 21C, with a light southerly breeze.

Looking ahead, Met Éireann says tonight (Wednesday) will be “mostly dry at first,” but a band of showery rain will move into the western half of the country later, bringing possible thundery downpours.

"Mist and fog will affect southern counties too. A mild and humid night with lowest temperatures of 13C to 17C in light to moderate southeast breezes."

Thursday is expected to be a “cloudy, wet and breezy day,” as thundery rain pushes in from the west. The east will likely remain drier and milder, with some sunny spells. Temperatures will reach 18C to 23C, with moderate to fresh southwest winds.

On Thursday night, "lingering rain across eastern counties will soon clear into the Irish Sea with some showers feeding into Atlantic counties; otherwise dry with clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 11C to 15C in light to moderate southwest winds."

Finally, Friday is set to bring a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, which may turn heavy later in the east and northeast. Temperatures will range from 18C to 22C, with light to moderate west to southwest winds.

"Dry Friday night under broken cloud, apart from isolated showers. Lowest temperatures of 9C to 15C, coolest across western counties, all in light southeast or variable breezes,"  Met Éireann added.