Thunderstorm warning issued for most of the country

A thunderstorm warning has been issued for most of the country this Wednesday evening.

The Status Orange warning has been in place since 4pm and will extend until later tonight. The storms will affect Connacht, Leinster and Ulster with heavy rainfall and strong winds also expected in Dublin.

A Status Orange warning can impact significantly on people in the affected areas, Met Eireann has said.

“The issue of an Orange level weather warning implies that all recipients in the affected areas should prepare themselves in an appropriate way for the anticipated conditions.”

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Met Eireann said the storms will clear after 8pm but scattered showers will continue in the western half of the country.

Temperatures will drop to about 11 degrees and there will be moderate winds from the southwest.

On Thursday there will be widespread showers which will be heavy at times especially in the west and northwest. Heavy winds are also expected throughout the country.

The highest temperatures on Thursday will reach between 15 and 19 degrees. The rain will ease off in the evening with scattered showers in the east and north and isolated showers in the southeast.

Scattered showers are expected for Friday along with some sunny spells. The winds will start out blustery but will ease later in the day. The top temperatures will reach 16 to 18 degrees.