Weather warning issued as thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast

Met Éireann has issued status yellow thunderstorm and rain warnings for most parts of the country on Monday.

Thunderstorms, heavy downpours and even the chance of hail are forecast for 19 of the 26 counties from midday to 10pm. The only counties exempted are Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Cork and Kerry.

Met Éireann has warned there could be localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions. Forecaster Paul Downes said the ground is so dry at present that there is a possibility of run-off and surface flooding during heavy thunderstorms, though the water will be absorbed into the ground as the week progresses.

“Rain is needed but this is not the best way to get it with the chance of run-off, which could see roads flooded,” he said.

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A yellow thunderstorm warning has also been issued by the UK Met Office for Northern Ireland from 12pm to 9pm on Tuesday.

This week will be the hottest of the year so far and muggy conditions are set to continue as a plume of warm air from the south crosses the country.

Temperatures will reach highs of between 23 and 27 degrees in most places until Thursday, though coastal areas will be cooler due to sea breezes. The mugginess will extend into the night with temperatures in some places not dropping below 16 degrees.

The warm air will drag up some thunderstorms in its wake with widespread heavy rain. Most parts of the State will get a thunderstorm on Monday and the pattern will remain for the rest of the week.

The State is going through the longest drought period for five years with all 25 of Met Éireann’s network of weather stations recording drought periods of between 15 and 26 days.

Friday will be another warm day with highs of 25 degrees and it looks as if the warm weather will continue into next weekend.