Cold spell to end as Met Éireann issues rainfall warning for seven counties, including Cork

The country has seen a week of freezing weather, and while temperatures are set to rise, heavy rain is due to set in. Picture: Denis Minihane

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow rainfall warning for seven counties, including Cork and Kerry, with "localised flooding" expected.

The country has seen a week of freezing weather, and while temperatures are set to rise, heavy rain is due to set in.  The warning, which will come into effect from 10am on Wednesday, will impact Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow.

"Spells of heavy rain spreading eastwards will be accompanied by strong and gusty southeasterly winds," Met Éireann warned. Motorists are advised to take caution during this time as there will be poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions.

Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather warned those living in affected areas about extreme rainfall, with up to 50mm of rain expected in high ground areas on Wednesday morning. Those in the south and southeast may experience 30mm of rainfall over the coming two days, he added.

Over 50mm possible in 24 hours for some high ground areas from 9am Wednesday to 9am Thursday as we head back into a risk of flooding. Over 30mm for many South and Southeast areas! pic.twitter.com/EZFHWPeI0i

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) December 5, 2023

The alert follows a series of low temperature and ice warnings that have gripped the country, with sub-zero temperatures recorded over much of the past week.

Tuesday will again be cold with lows of -2C to 4C but temperatures will take a milder turn with highs of between 7C to 10C expected throughout Wednesday.

Wednesday "will be a damp, cloudy and rather windy day, with outbreaks of rain, turning heavy at times". Those in Munster and south Leinster may experience some spot flooding.

Further wind and rain is forecast for Wednesday night, with temperatures of between 5C and 9C expected.

Thursday is expected to follow suit with Met Éireann saying: "A clearance to sunny spells and blustery showers, some heavy, will extend from the southwest through the morning and early afternoon."

Temperatures of 9C to 12C are expected, with coastal gales moving in from the Atlantic as the day progresses. The windy weather is expected to clear by Friday, with "scattered showers" and sunny spells expected for a change.

Friday "looks set to bring a mix of cloud and bright spells with scattered showers," Met Éireann has said, "with the showers merging to longer spells of rain at times over the southern half of the country".

A bout of Atlantic low pressure "looks set to dominate" over the weekend, "bringing further spells of wet and windy weather with temperatures near or slightly above average for the time of year".

WEATHER CENTRE

Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.