Thunderstorm warning for Cork, Kerry and Limerick but highs of 25C expected

While storms threaten parts of Munster, much of Ireland will enjoy sunshine and possibly record-breaking May temperatures this week

Keith Crowley, Adrigole and Katie O'Donovan, Ballygarvan making the most of the sunshine on the beach at Garylucas, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow thunderstorm warning for Cork, Kerry and Limerick, with scattered storms expected to bring frequent lightning and possible spot flooding. 

The warning remains in place until 8pm this evening.

Despite the unsettled weather in parts of the southwest, much of the country is set to bask in sunshine, with temperatures climbing into the mid-20s over the coming fortnight, Met Éireann has confirmed.

Already in May we've seen some stations record highs of 23C and the current spell of warm weather shows no sign of slowing down.

The national forecaster is even predicting potential highs of 25C in parts today - which would be a record temperature for May.

Wednesday could see some heavy showers and even thunderstorms in parts of Munster and Connacht though.

Met Éireann say that today will be a warm and sunny day for most. 

They predicted: "Highest temperatures of 19 to 25C, warmest in the west, but a little cooler along the east coast due to a light to moderate easterly wind."

While those temperatures fall overnight to lows of 5C, the heat will return early on Thursday.

Met Éireann's forecast reads: "A few isolated showers may develop in the southwest towards evening. Highest temperatures of 20 to 25C , warmest in the west, but a little cooler along the east coast due to a light to moderate easterly wind."

High pressure will bring dry, settled conditions for the latter half of this week and into next week — with plenty of sunshine and temperatures into the high teens or low 20s.

Met Éireann’s deputy head forecaster, Elizabeth Coleman, said the west of the country could see temperatures of up to 25C today.

“We’ll continue that way, really, through the week, so lovely sunny weather across the country,” she told RTÉ Radio.

“Temperatures dropping slightly back to maybe late teens, early 20s, as we go towards the end of the week and the weekend, but lots of sunshine for most people across the country, so get out there and enjoy it while you can.”

Last May, temperatures hit a high of 24.6C in Roscommon, with the entire month being warmest May on record in Ireland, according to Met Éireann, with an average temperature of 13.08C.

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