Washout forecast as Met Éireann issues weather alert

Tomorrow is set to be a washout as Met Éireann has issued a weather alert over heavy rainfall for 16 counties, with local flooding possible in many areas.

An orange alert has been issued for Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath and Monaghan from 6am tomorrow morning until 9am on Friday, with two separate spells of heavy rain likely.

Localised flooding is expected, with 40-60mm of rain foreseen.

There is also a yellow rainfall warning in effect for Munster, Connacht and Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan and Donegal.

The yellow warning is in effect from midnight tonight until 8pm tomorrow, with 25-40mm of rain expected and a risk of local flooding.

Tonight, heavy rain and strong southerly winds will develop in the southwest and west by midnight and will spread eastwards to all area, except parts of east Ulster, by morning.

Strong southerly winds will develop, with gales in some coastal areas.

There is a chance of cooler, clearer weather reaching some western areas tomorrow morning.