Met Éireann issues status yellow warning with heavy rainfall due in Cork and Kerry

The warning will come into effect at 3am on Thursday and remain in place until 9am. Picture: Andy Gibson

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow warning for rain in Cork and Kerry with difficult travelling conditions expected overnight. 

The warning will come into effect at 3am on Thursday and remain in place until 9am. 

Met Éireann said: "Heavy rainfall, especially in western parts of the counties with highest accumulations in mountainous areas."

Impacts of the rain include spot flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility. 

"Spot flooding is possible in parts of Kerry and west Cork early tomorrow morning," said Met Éireann. 

Elsewhere, Wednesday is expected to be a dry day with a mix of cloud and sunny spells with temperatures hitting highs of 18C. 

It will become unsettled in tonight "as rain spreads eastwards across the country, turning heavy at times in the west and southwest", said Met Éireann. 

Thursday will see "a wet and overcast start on" with widespread rain "turning heavy at times".

"The rain will slowly clear northeastwards through the day, with scattered showers following from the west. However, rain will linger in the northeast until nightfall."

Temperatures will again reach highs of 18C. 

Rain is set to be a prominent feature across the weekend, as on Friday showers "will become widespread and heavy early" in the day "with a chance of isolated thunderstorms and hail".

Showers will ease early in the night but Saturday will be "cloudy with showery outbreaks of rain, becoming heavy in some areas". 

Sunday will see "another day of sunny spells and showers, with some heavy showers possible".