Thunderstorm warning for three Munster counties as temperatures set to hit 27C

Highest temperatures on Wednesday will range from 21C to 27C. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

A status yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for three Munster counties as temperatures of up to 27C have been forecast for Wednesday.

The warning, which affects Kerry, Limerick, and Clare, will be in place from 3pm this afternoon. Between then and the time the warning lifts at 9pm, Met Éireann is warning of localised flooding, lightning damage, and difficult travelling conditions.

More generally, the forecaster says Wednesday will be "warm or very warm and humid" with sunny spells. 

However, showers will begin to push up from the southwest by early evening, particularly over Munster and Connacht, giving way to a thunderstorm risk in these areas.

Highest temperatures today will range from 21C to 27C.

Showers will continue to move up over the country tonight, with the continued risk of heavy, possibly thundery downpours in certain areas. It will be very mild tonight, with temperatures unlikely to drop lower than 14C to 17C. 

There is also a risk of some mist and fog tonight.

Thursday will be cloudy to begin with scattered showers in the midlands, north and east. As these showers ease in the late afternoon and early evening, the country will begin to see longer spells of sunshine. Top temperatures tomorrow will range from 19C to 25C.

Tomorrow night will be mostly dry as winds fall light and variable, allowing areas of mist and fog to form. The lowest temperatures on Thursday night will range from 11C to 15C.

As for Friday, the forecast is for dry weather with good sunny spells and just a few isolated showers. Highest temperatures will range from around 19C to 26C with Saturday likely to follow suit for a mainly dry day with sunny spells.