Rain warning issued for Cork and Waterford as sunny spell set to end

Met Éireann has said localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility are also possible. File Picture: Chani Anderson

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow rain warning for Cork and Waterford with heavy rain and thunder expected.

The warning will come into place at 3am on Thursday and stay in place until 6pm.

Met Éireann has said localised flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility are also possible. 

National forecast

More generally, Wednesday, which started with dry and sunny conditions across the country, will see some gusty winds on the southern coasts in the afternoon. A few isolated showers in the far southwest later in the afternoon are also likely. Daytime highs of 14C and 20C are expected. 

Dry & sunny countrywide today, Wednesday ☀️

Becoming breezy this afternoon as mostly moderate easterly winds develop, occasionally fresh & gusty near eastern and southern coasts 🍃

Highs of 14 to 20 C 🌡️ pic.twitter.com/qR9Fo9Zd3S

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) April 29, 2026

It should stay dry in many places on Wednesday night with clear spells, but clouds will gradually increase from the south overnight. Thicker cloud is expected across Munster and parts of south Leinster and south Connacht, which will give way to rain and drizzle. Lows of 6C to 10C are set for the night. 

Thursday will be a cloudier day overall with outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the south and west with some heavy bursts. Some northeastern areas will remain dry with good sunny spells. Temperatures tomorrow will reach highs of 14C to 18C. 

The rain will start to ease and become patchier on Thursday night with occasional clear spells. Lows of 8C to 11C are forecast for the evening with mist and fog patches forming. 

Friday will be a mixed bag of cloud, sunny spells and showers. Some of these showers may turn heavy with a chance of an isolated thunderstorm in the west with daytime highs of 14C to 18C. 

It will become mostly cloudy with showery outbreaks of rain on Friday night, with lows ranging between 7C and 10C. 

Saturday will see more cloud and scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Though bright or sunny spells will develop as the day goes on, there will be showers too, some of which could be heavy. It will feel cooler on Saturday than in previous days, with the highest temperatures sitting between 11C and 15C. 

Looking towards Sunday, it is set to be a drier day but with a good deal of cloud as well. The best of the bright or sunny intervals will be in the south with daytime highs of 10C to 14C expected.