Met Éireann issues status yellow rain warning for Cork and Kerry

While Tuesday is predicted to be mostly dry during the day, tonight will see rain spread from the southwest and become heavy at times. File picture: Denis Minihane.

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow weather warning for Cork and Kerry, with heavy rain expected overnight.

The warning comes into effect at 10pm on Tuesday and will remain in place until 8am on Wednesday.

During this time, the forecaster is warning there will be "heavy rain at higher elevations in Kerry and West Cork".

While Tuesday is predicted to be mostly dry during the day, tonight will see rain spread from the southwest and become heavy at times. Temperatures tonight will range from 2C to 7C.

The rain will continue into Wednesday morning before ultimately clearing eastwards. Thereafter, Met Éireann says "bright or sunny spells and scattered showers will follow".

Temperatures on Wednesday will range between 10C and 13C, but will fall somewhat as rain begins to clear.

Wednesday night will also be quite wet, and there is a risk of heavy and thundery downpours as rain spreads from the west of the country. 

Polar maritime air

As rain gradually clears, and colder polar maritime air extends in from the North Atlantic, temperatures will fall significantly, leading to hail, sleet and possibly even some snowfall on higher ground. Temperatures on Wednesday night will be in the low single digits — 1C to 4C.

Met Éireann says Thursday will be cold and bright, with sunshine, showers, and the possibility of hail and thunder. Showers will be most frequent in the west. Temperatures will remain quite low, meaning some showers will fall as sleet or even snow on higher ground. Temperatures on Thursday will range from 5C to 9C in moderate to fresh southwest to west winds.

Thursday night will also be quite cold, with wintry conditions expected over higher ground. However, it will be somewhat drier. The forecaster said temperatures on Thursday night may fall below freezing, leading to frost and ice.

Friday will be quite similar to Thursday, with the combination of low single-digit temperatures and showers again giving rise to the chance of sleet or snow, particularly along the west coast. There is also a risk of some thundery downpours in the west, Met Éireann says. Temperatures on Thursday will range from 5C to 8C in moderate to fresh and gusty westerly winds.

Temperatures will fall once more on Friday night, with lows of -2C predicted in the midlands and east. Rainfall on Friday night will be mostly confined to the west and north of the country.