Cork traffic and weather: Heavy congestion on city roads with delays being experienced by motorists 

Motorists have been urged to drive with caution this morning, following reports of collisions 

Traffic on the N40 at J7. Picture: TII

Congestion has started to build along the N40 in Cork this morning, with increased flows beginning to form along other major city links such as the M28 and beyond the Jack Lynch Tunnel.

There have been reports of a multi-vehicle collision, eastbound, on the N40 South Ring Road between Junction 9 and Junction 10 with motorists advised to proceed with caution. 

There are also reports of a second collision on the N40 westbound between Mahon and Bloomfield. 

On Wednesday night, the Jack Lynch Tunnel will close to traffic from 9pm until 4am. 

The closure will also be in place on Thursday for the same duration. 

Weather

Met Eireann has said it will be a cool and bright Wednesday with plenty of sunshine and some scattered showers.

The national forecaster said the showers will mainly affect the western half of the country before spreading elsewhere in the afternoon and becoming more isolated this evening.

Highest temperatures of 11C to 14C are expected with a moderate to fresh northwesterly wind.

Tonight will also be dry for most with long clear spells and isolated showers in the west.

Cloud will thicken from the west towards morning with lowest temperatures of 3C to 8C in a light westerly or variable breeze.

Thursday will be cloudy to start with rain and drizzle spreading from the west, becoming widespread through the morning and persisting for much of the day.

Highest temperatures of 13C to 15C with southwesterly winds are expected.

Thursday night will also be cloudy with outbreaks of rain, drizzle and mist, becoming heavy and persistent at times in the north and west.

A clearance to showers will push into the northwest later in the night with lowest temperatures of 9C to 13C.

Rain will continue on Friday, clearing southeastwards through the morning with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers.

It will be breezy with fresh westerly winds and highest temperatures of 12C to 15C.

Friday night will see clear spells and scattered showers, mainly affecting the north and west.

Lowest temperatures of 7C to 11C with moderate to fresh westerly winds are predicted.

Saturday will see a mix of cloud, sunshine and scattered showers.

Highest temperatures of 10C to 14C with moderate to fresh west to northwest winds easing through the evening.

Sunday will see some bright spells to start, becoming cloudier through the day with rain and drizzle pushing into the west and southwest.

Highest temperatures of 11C to 15C with light southerly winds are expected.